A PENZANCE eyesore will be transformed into sheltered housing for the elderly after controversial plans were granted on appeal.
Despite being slammed by town and county councils for a poor design and failure to put forward a mixed-use scheme, the applicant, Churchill Retirement Living, took its case to appeal and won.
The company can now build the 60 flats, along with five commercial units at the former gas works site in Wharf Road.
The victory has divided local opinion with some fearing the build will have a damaging effect on a prime Penzance spot. Others are pleased the site will finally be developed after years of neglect.
"The town council opposed the plans because we felt it was probably not the best use for this site," said Councillor Phil Peters, vice-chairman of the town's planning committee.
"I have some concerns about the commercial shop side of things.
"The high street is already in a state of flux, are we going to have five more shops built that will remain empty?" He added that the scheme could also impact on the future of the town.
"In future we could be less of a market town and more of a maritime destination," he said.
"There could have been a better use for such a prime location along the seafront."
The chamber of commerce was also said to be split over the best use for the site.
"The development is not the optimal mix of uses we had hoped for but that does not mean it will not be an improvement," said chairman Dick Cliffe.
"The development will contribute to the town, meet unmet need for private sheltered housing and at last, after 20-plus years, fill an ugly void along Wharf Road.
"The construction phase will result in millions of pounds being spent in the local economy at a time when the economy is 'flat lining'."
Previous aspirations for the vacant plot included hotel chain Travelodge taking over the site, which would also have included retail space, offices and a restaurant.
Cornwall Council used delegated powers to approve this proposal but last January The Cornishman reported the plans had fallen through.
Churchill then put forward its retirement homes plan, which has now been granted on appeal after Mike Robins, an inspector appointed by the Government, said the scheme would address a longstanding gap site in the frontage of the Penzance Conservation Area. His judgement flies in the face of a decision by Cornwall Council planners to reject the proposals. Meeting in June, the officers were scathing of the scheme for its failure to support and enhance Penzance.
Despite disapproval at both county and town level, the scheme has now been given the green light and works on the site could begin by April.
"The town council and Cornwall Council both thought this was a bad idea," said John Maggs, member of the Penzance Seafront Forum.
"Just because they can get planning approval doesn't mean this should be built there. If the community does not want it to happen they have a moral, if not legal, obligation to respect that.
"There are other places in Penzance they could do this."
But Andrew Burgess, of Planning Issues Ltd, the agent behind the development, said it would add to the vitality of the town.
"In addition to providing much-needed sheltered housing, it will provide new ground-floor shops and commercial floor space," he said.
"The development will start in April 2013 and be completed by May 2014."
