AFTER SEVERAL YEARS of negotiations and knock-backs, Falmouth could have a new cinema by Christmas after planners gave the long-awaited scheme the green light, delighting those behind the project.

"It has been a long time coming, over three years of work and we are mightily relieved," said Terry Barnes, of New Cornwall Developments. Negotiations are now taking place between the company, the National Maritime Museum Cornwall and the landowners regarding the release of the site to ensure the development goes ahead.

Carrick planners last week gave permission for two new buildings on the Falmouth Maritime site, one for a cinema between the museum and Port Pendennis and the other for commercial and residential units on the Events Square. However, the museum has rights to the land earmarked for block D, the 400-seat, three-screen cinema and said at present it had "no intention" of releasing its right to it unless an acceptable agreement could be reached.

Planning Officer Ian Lloyd told Carrick's planning committee that this was a civil matter and did not stop them determining the application. "As such the museum is in something of a dilemma, supporting a cinema somewhere on the site, but not seeing it as its responsibility to release its rights to the land," he said.

The applicants said the cinema was only viable with permission for block A, a four-storey building with shops, restaurant, pub and 14 residential units. they have agreed to a legal agreement for both buildings to be constructed at the same time.

In 2000 outline permission was granted for a larger cinema within block A, but the last application for that site was turned down last year because of concerns over noise, scale and parking. The company came back earlier this year with the new scheme in two separate applications. Mr Lloyd said: "The provision of a cinema within Falmouth is, I believe, a cherished ambition of the local community and while it could be reasonably argued that the maritime museum site is not necessarily the best location for it, the principle of a cinema on the site has been previously approved."

A DECISION is due to be made next Wednesday evening on the latest plans for a long-awaited cinema for Falmouth, which have won the support of planning officers. A special meeting of Carrick's planning committee has been convened and among the items due to be debated and determined are the cinema and a mixed use development which will occupy the proposed Block A, adjacent to the Events Square.

Both applications have been submitted by New Cornwall Developments Ltd., who have made it quite clear that the plans for the 400-seat, three-screen cinema cannot go ahead unless the other scheme also wins approval. Both have been recommended for conditional approval by planning officer Ian Lloyd.

The development company had originally applied to provide a cinema as part of Block A, but this was refused by councillors last April. A subsequent application for the same block but omitting the cinema element, was also refused and this is the subject of an appeal.

The new plans for Block A show a four-storey building which would contain shops, a restaurant and pub and office space, along with an area for an unspecified leisure use and 14 residential units on the upper two floors.

THE DEVELOPERS behind plans for a three-screen cinema in Falmouth, dependent on approval being given for a separate building which will contain a mixture of residential and leisure units, are hopeful their latest schemes will win favour with councillors

Previous plans for Block A on land adjacent to the Events Square, fell foul of the district planning committee, partly because of concerns about conflict between residents of the proposed flats and noise generated from Events Square.

New Cornwall Developments have now submitted two applications, one seeking permission for the 400-seat cinema in Block D, on land next to the maritime museum, and the other for Block A, which will contain shops, a restaurant and pub, office space along with an area for an unspecified leisure use as well as 14 residential units on the upper two floors.

The company has made it clear that it will not be viable to build the cinema unless they get permission for Block A, but have agreed to enter into a legal agreement with Carrick which will require the two buildings to be constructed at the same time.

In the statement accompanying the planning application, the company says: "We hope that our submission for the last site on the Falmouth maritime development will be favourably received and speedily dealt with so the the whole project can at last be completed. We believe our proposals will provide the town with a desperately needed cinema development which is of an appropriate size and sustainable in the long term"

The issue of noise nuisance to future residents of Block A has been addressed and, the company believes, resolved. They state: "We are confident that the proposed timber-framed construction of the residential element of the scheme and the high quality double-glazed timber windows will provide high levels of sound insulation to the dwelling units.

"In addition, a whole house ventilation system will be installed in each of the units overlooking the Events Square which will negate the need to open windows for ventilation even on the hottest days. There should be no impediment on noise grounds to residential developments in Block A."

The two applications went before Falmouth's planning committee on Monday night when they were both recommended for approval.

PLANS FOR a three screen 400 seat cinema in Falmouth are being submitted to Carrick planners for a site at Discovery Quay. At the same time an application is also being made for retail and residential development on another part of the site.

The Rev. Stephen Tudgey from Falmouth's parish church is urging everyone keen to see a new cinema built in Falmouth to lobby the planners and to let planning officer Ian Lloyd at Carrick know their feelings.

Mr Tudgey was involved in a campaign last year to see a multi-plex cinema built near to the National Maritime Museum when another scheme for the site was discussed. Although it had always been accepted that a cinema formed part of the overall Discovery Quay development, the cinema plan did not succeed.

Mr Tudgey has always maintained the provision of a cinema in Falmouth was an important community facility and one which should be provided. It was essential a town the size of Falmouth had a cinema for family use throughout the year, he said. He found considerable support after his earlier campaign was exclusively launched through the "Packet".

Now he wants those who offered that support last year and others to step up the pressure to ensure Falmouth at last has a new cinema complex. He asks them to lobby Ian Lloyd, the planning officer responsible for dealing with the plan at Carrick Council.

Councillors expressed support but were concerned that there was sufficient money in the company's budget to finish both projects. Councillor Stephen Eva said" I just want to make sure that they can build those flats and not run out of money for the cinema. I'm in favour as long as there's nowhere along the line that they run out of money."

PLANS FOR a three-screen cinema for Falmouth will be lodged with the district council within a fortnight, but the project can only go ahead if the developers get permission to build another block on land nearby, councillors were told this week.

Terry Barnes, a director of New Cornwall Developments, and architect Paul Elms, made an informal presentation to Falmouth's planning committee on Monday, ahead of the plans being submitted to Carrick Council. The proposals show a cinema built on land between the maritime museum and Port Pendennis.

There would be three screens, one of 200 and two of 100 seats, and the cinema would be operated by WTW Cinemas, who already run a number of successful cinemas in the county, including the Plaza at Truro. The building would be "significantly smaller" than the neighbouring maritime museum.

The cinema had originally been included in the plans for Block A, which also included a pub and restaurant, offices and residential accommodation above. This was thrown out by planners, however, and revised plans for the site did not include the cinema. The revised plans, which included space for a sports or health club on the ground floor, were also rejected by councillors and a third scheme is now being drawn up. Mr Barnes confirmed to town councillors this week, that the cinema cannot be built without Block A and so is dependant on permission being granted for the new scheme when it is submitted.

The majority of councillors strongly support the proposals for the cinema and are keen to see the scheme get off the ground. Malcolm Brain said: "There are a number of issues that almost unite the population - one is the demand for a cinema and another is for some sort of harbourside development. I think compromise is the order of the day. "If the majority of the population of Falmouth want a cinema, I think we as a council should reflect that and not be too influenced by the very vocal minority of people who live at Port Pendennis who do not want more residential development. We should listen to the population rather than the minority."

THE LATEST PLANS for a cinema at Falmouth's Events Square were revealed this week. However the three-screen 400-seat can only be built if the developers also win planning permission for flats on the other side of the National Maritime Museum's Square.

Terry Barnes, from New Cornwall Developments, said" "A cinema would just not stand alone, we can not do one without the other. I want a cinema, we have had one in our plans from the start, and now we have an opportunity to build one." Under the scheme unveiled on Monday the cinema will be behind the already built shops and restaurants on the south side of the square.

Mr Barnes is linking the cinema scheme with a development featuring luxury apartments, offices and shops on the north side of the square - where the cinema was to have been originally built until planning permission was refused by Carrick District Council. The latest designs already have the support of cinema group WTW, which already runs a number of theatres in Cornwall, including Truro's Plaza Cinema. Plans show the cinema having two levels - one 200 seat screen and two 100 seat screens, with the outside's design following along the lines of the rest of the Events Square buildings.

Mr Barnes and architect Paul Elms presented the plans to Falmouth town councillors and received widespread backing from members. Councillor Malcolm Brain said: The majority of Falmouth people want a cinema and we as a council should reflect that and not be affected by a very vocal minority from Port Pendennis who live down there."

Members accepted Mr Barnes' assurances that everything possible would be done to make sure that any flats would be fully soundproofed so events on Events Square would not be restricted. Councillor Stephen Eva said: "The most important thing is if we have a chance of a cinema we should not let it go."

PENRYN TOWN COUNCILLORS have put their support behind the proposed Falmouth cinema development at Discovery Quay. At full council on Monday, members said they should support the scheme as it will also benefit the people of the town.

The proposed cinema is in an area between the museum and Port Pendennis known as "Block D". The new scheme comes as a result of considerable concern after planning approval was given last month by Carrick council for another development at Discovery Quay, which did not include an expected cinema.

Planners say they have made extra efforts to ensure any building on the site will be in keeping with the nearby National Maritime Museum and other buildings around the square. The complex will be state of the art with full sound proofing and air conditioning.

"Events Square will be much improved once building around the area is completed," said Miss Goldsworthy. "While it is up to local planners to decide on the appropriateness of the preliminary plans, it is clear that the majority of local people think a cinema would benefit the town wherever it ends up being built.

John Adams, of Golden Bank, Falmouth, also launched a campaign to see a cinema built in the town. "If we had a cinema in Falmouth that screened mainstream films daily at a choice of times we would use that facility most weeks," he said.

Terry Barnes, speaking for New Cornwall Developments who are behind the plans, hopes to have detailed plans submitted to Carrick council in January.