LAUNCESTON Town Council’s planning committee has been urged to meet with residents to discuss the future development of a derelict site in Castle Street.

The council’s planning committee met recently, and members were notified of recent Cornwall Council planning decisions. One application of interest was an application for the construction of three new terraced town houses on the old chapel site in Castle Street, Launceston.

Despite some public opposition, the town council, during the consultation period, supported the application. However, Cornwall Council refused it.

In the public participation section of the meeting, Joan Heaton, a resident of Castle Street, addressed the council.

She said: “I have seen on the Cornwall Council site that this has been refused by Cornwall Council on November 8. They refused it outright. There were fundamental issues that weren’t right about it. This was contrary to the Planning Act, the Local Plan and everything.

“It was beyond me how it ever got approval here.”

Mrs Heaton said there would no doubt be another planning application submitted, adding: “It has to be developed; it’s very unsightly. I was wondering if the committee could have a real conversation with the residents. We’ve got the knowledge. We live there and we love the area. We feel we could have some input into whatever you’re deciding and hopefully we will get a good design.”