PLANS to build a housing estate on a derelict builder’s merchants in Newquay are being opposed.

Residents, Newquay Town Council’s planning committee and Cornwall Council’s public open space officer are among those who have objected to a planning application to demolish existing vacant buildings at the former Jewsons site at Mount Wise and construct 28 dwellings.

Councillors stated there are several issues that need to be resolved before they could give their support to the proposals such as there being no visitor parking included within the proposals.

They consider a potential plan to deconstruct the former generating station and relocate the building to another site to be a potentially acceptable means of ensuring the future of the “locally important non-designated heritage asset.”

Cornwall Planning Group, on behalf of applicant Acorn Property Group, states an option to convert the generator building into apartments or employment uses was looked at but a feasibility study showed it is not commercially viable because of its dilapidated condition.

The company states the only viable option for the former builder’s yard is to construct houses there due to no interest being shown in bringing the site back into commercial use despite a prolonged marketing campaign.

Public space officer Stuart Wallace and Martin Mumford, Devon and Cornwall Police’s designing out crime officer have raised concerns the proposed footpath could increase the risk of crime and antisocial behaviour.

Mr Wallace said: “The route is very narrow and in the interests of the security and privacy will make for an unpleasant experience that will put off a lot of people, attracting instead anti-social behaviour.

“New access links to the public open space are very much to be encouraged, but it would be preferable to open this up more and ideally include some frontage to the open space.”

He added: “Unfortunately, the designers have overlooked the nature of one of the established facilities within park. The multi-use games ball court is a type five teenage facility, in which noise and boisterous behaviour is to be expected.

“The council's adopted policy is that such facilities should not be closer than 30m to the nearest habitable building.” Mr Mumford said: “I don't particularly like the footpath link as shown through to the park which in reality will be a narrow alleyway.

“I appreciate the economic realities of site development but this boundary with the park will not provide any active frontage or much in the way of passive surveillance over this space.

“Having the rear gardens backing onto the park does increase the potential risk of crime and anti-social behaviour to these residents.”

Residents have also raised concerns the lack of parking in the area could be exacerbated due to there being no visitor parking in the plan.

Resident Sarah Kemp is “sad” the generator building cannot be incorporated in the development.

She said: “I know the developer quotes that "it is too dilapidated and not commercially viable" but anything is salvageable it's just if the developers are prepared to pay out for it or not.

“You only have to look at the John Nance building on Berry Road to get an example of how something can be beautifully restored.”

Cornwall Council is due to have the final say on the plans.