A well established Launceston car dealership is set to expand if plans are approved by Cornwall Council.

Hawkins Motors has applied to Cornwall Council seeking permission to erect a car showroom, office building, parking and associated works at the site formerly occupied by Martin’s Cash and Carry on Pennygillam Industrial Estate in the town.

It Is adjacent to its current premises and represents an expansion for the used and new car dealer.

Previously, the site has been subject to other proposals which were approved by Cornwall Council.

In 2022, a retrospective application for the erection of a vehicle photo booth building, a car valeting building and the erection of a new car showroom and office building, also by Hawkins Motors was approved.

Meanwhile in 2026, there were proposals for a storage building for light equipment approved.

The planning agent for Hawkins told Cornwall Council: “Hawkins Motors Ltd have occupied the site adjacent for a number of years for the purpose of selling cars. As with the rest of the Hawkins Motors Business, its success and growth has meant that this neighbouring site has been acquired for the purpose of expanding the car sales business, to satisfy the needs of recent changes to the car industry.

“The proposed development represents a significant investment in the provision of new car showroom sales and servicing facilities at the Pennygillam site of Hawkins Motors.

The application site comprises a previously developed brownfield site consisting of an area of hardstanding and former car park associated with the former Martins Cash and Carry. The application site area comprises some 0.19 Ha (0.49 acres) and is roughly rectangular in shape. There is an existing access to the application site off Pennygillam Way which includes two small areas currently laid to grass at either side of the vehicular access.

“The proposed car showroom/office has been designed to be rectangular in form and aligned to be south facing and setback on the site to provide an extensive display area for new and used cars. The proposed car showroom/office is single storey in scale with a mono pitched roof.

“The main vehicular doors are located on the front elevation and face the main circulation area. The proposed building is considered to be identical industrial in character and comprises a total GIA of some 204 sqm. The proposed building comprises a single span steel frame including necessary bracing, eaves, gable framing and verges.

“The walls to the proposed car showroom/office will be of composite cladding and micro-ribbed to be blue in colour to match the Hawkins Motors branding. The building has extensive glazing to the front and side elevations. Branded signage has been incorporated into the design of the proposed building.

“Externally the layout provides for external vehicle parking for vehicle display 5 and staff/visitor/parking comprising a total of some 42 spaces. Some 2 EV car charging spaces are provided. The proposed layout provides for a waste recycling store.”

Find out about planning applications that affect you by visiting the Public Notice Portal.

The full proposals can be viewed using reference PA26/06423 on the Cornwall Council planning portal.