LAUNCESTON Town Council has been asked to reconsider its support for a planning application one resident described as ‘insensitive development’.

Joan Heaton made the appeal to the town council at its meeting on October 16 regarding the planning application for the construction of three new terraced town houses on the Old Chapel site at Castle Street.

The chapel suffered an overnight partial collapse in 2013 and was subsequently demolished.

A design and access statement submitted to Cornwall Council as part of the application by Metters and Wellby, on behalf of Penglas Ltd, proposes three four-bedroom, three-storey townhouses, each incorporating garages at ground level.

The site, in the Launceston Conservation Area, has existing planning permission for redevelopment.

Mrs Heaton said during the public representation session of the town council meeting: “In the light of Historic England’s comments expressing strong concerns about the design of the proposed replacement conservatory at Eagle House, the agent has submitted a more traditional design as an amendment. Launceston Town Council supported the original design before Historic England made their report.

“The same architect is responsible for the design of plans submitted for three town houses on the site of the collapsed Congregational Chapel on Castle Street. Launceston Town Council again supported this planning application. Historic England again has strong concerns about the design ‘causing harm’ to the Conservation Area.

“I would ask the council to reconsider their support for this insensitive development and object strongly to this design. Launceston deserves better.

“The clerk has advised me that if 10 councillors propose a notice of motion, the resolution to support this planning application can be reconsidered.

“I would ask council to do so to safeguard the Launceston Conservation Area and support the residents who value it.”

Mayor Cllr Margaret Young said: “The clerk hasn’t received any notice. We are not at liberty to discuss it but it’s been noted and passed on to the next layer for consideration.”

One comment on the application received by Cornwall Council from another member of the public living in Launceston reads: “Castle Street is, according to the late poet laureate John Betjeman, one of the most beautiful Georgian streets in Cornwall, if not the UK.

“The proposed town houses are far too modern to fit in with the street scene. Fitting in with the street scene was, I thought, one of the main criteria when considering planning applications.

“Surely it is possible to consider something more in keeping with the area. We do not want future generations to look back at 21st century architecture and think we were vandals.”

A spokesperson for Metters and Wellby told the Post: “The scheme for three town houses on the old chapel site currently has an existing approval for a higher density scheme consisting of four dwellings including a three-story town house on the Castle Street frontage. The existing derelict site detracts from Castle Street which, as our submission report points out, was thought to be the finest Georgian street in Cornwall by Sir John Betjeman.

“Whilst Heritage England does not support the scheme an independent conservation consultant has provided a heritage impact statement which supports the design. Additionally, the town council has indicated their approval and it is important to note that support has been received from nearby residents as well as objections. Neighbour consultation took place with a leaflet drop and full plans available to view at the museum. Overall the neighbours were supportive of the scheme and keen to see a redundant and unsightly cleared site redeveloped.

“We would disagree with Heritage England’s opinion and consider the proposal to be in scale with the surrounding buildings. There is provision for contemporary buildings in historic settings and whilst it is unashamedly modern in its design it does draw on the historic character of the nearby 18th century listed buildings with the use of materials and forms.

“The scheme will result in three high quality town houses that stand in their own right, rather than providing an inappropriate pastiche of their surroundings.”