PLANNING permission is being sought to demolish a derelict former garage in Launceston.

The mayor of the town, Cllr Margaret Young said ‘hooray’ when the plans to demolish buildings and clear the site of 5 Exeter Street — known locally as the old Sprys Garage — came before Launceston Town Council’s planning and economic development committee last week.

Meeting on Thursday, January 11, Cllr Young asked if the site would ‘be just left’ once the clearing had taken place, and chairman of the committee Cllr Rob Tremain said: “Until a planning application comes in with what they want to do there.

“It’s good it’s going to be cleared,” he added.

“We will look forward to a pre planning meeting before too long as to what’s going to go there.”

Cllr Brian Hogan said: “My only concern is how they are going to do it, and the neighbours.”

The town council is able to comment on the application as a statutory consultee, but the final decision on the plans will be taken by Cornwall Council.

In sharing details of the plans on social media, Liberal Democrat Cornwall Councillor Jade Farrington said: “As part of the drive to clean up Launceston town centre’s derelict sites, Cornwall Council last year wrote to landowners. This resulted in the front of the Baker’s Arms being tidied up, and an application has now been submitted to demolish and clear the old Spry’s garage on Exeter Street/Angel Hill.”

Sprys showroom caught fire on February 14, 1992, and shortly after the business moved to Pennygillam Industrial Estate.