Falmouth Packet - Views sought on wharf plans

A decision on whether to support an ambitious project for one of Falmouth's wharves is to be delayed until a public meeting can be held.
Members of the town council planning committee were wary about making a decision on an application by Fairhaven Shipping Ltd who want to redevelop the Coastline Wharf, off North Parade, into 43 flats, a hotel and restaurant and a 4,580 square metre area for workshops, gallery space and another restaurant until they had heard the feelings of the general public.
The £20 million project is the brainchild of Rolf Munding, who gave a talk to the planning committee at the end of February. He also raised the possibility of a Roman-style stone amphitheatre being built there.
At the last committee meeting councillor Dr David Sterratt said: "It's a very, very big development. I've got concerns over the noise and the traffic and the businesses that already exist down there." He believed the project would be too big for the site and proposed councillors recommended refusal.
But other members were keen to hear the views of the public. Councillor Gerald Chin-Quee said: "I'm at the stage where I want to know more. Certainly the last thing I would want to see is any waterside businesses forced from its site. On the other hand I find it quite an exciting project and I would like to know more about it."
Councillor Stephen Eva added: "I think we're too quick to see the bad things so we don't see the good.
"If someone wants to spend 15 or £20 million in the town we shouldn't turn it down straight away, we should look into it further."
It was agreed by members a public meeting should be called before the town council put forward any recommendations on the project and members of Carrick district council should also attend a site visit.