A development company that wants to extend Rowe’s Bakery near Falmouth is optimistic its planning appeal will prove successful.

Midas Developments has twice had its application for 12 new hybrid office units and the bakery extension turned down by Cornwall Council, but managing director Terry Murch says the company has an “extremely good chance of winning the appeal”.

Cornwall Council’s planning committee turned down the application last October and again in February, the second time by only one vote, after concerns were raised about the environmental impact of the plans. Objectors were concerned about the loss of a greenfield site.

Interested parties had today (11 June) to comment on the proposals and Murch says he expects to get a date for the appeal hearing in July.

Rowe’s has shops all over the south-west and also has concessions in six Asda stores. Last year, managing director Alan Pearce said he wanted to expand production facilities to cope with increased demand resulting from PGI status being awarded to the Cornish pasty.  

“We have a unique opportunity to increase the output of our genuine Cornish pasties, both for our own retail units in the south west and to our trade customers throughout the UK,” he said.

Murch said that, if successful, the expanded Falmouth Business Park would create 150 new jobs. “The initial application went to the planning committee with a full recommendation for approval and it tallies with all government guidance on employment.

“I think that, at appeal, I would be very surprised if the inspectorate didn’t find in our favour. Rowe’s has been expanding dramatically over the last 10 years and they are totally constrained on their existing site and need to expand further.

“The first third of the site is already allocated to Rowe’s for expansion and Rowe’s has also said they would like some of the rest of the site that is being developed for other businesses.”

If approved, Murch said the site could be redeveloped by the end of 2013.

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