A CONTROVERSIAL application to build an estate of 68 houses on a greenfield site in Penryn has been withdrawn at the last minute.

But opponents to the scheme warn that although Poltair Homes may have withdrawn the application for the Gabbon's Nursery it has not gone away.

Over 50 protestors had objected to the scheme and could have attended the meeting of Carrick district council's planning committee last night.

But the withdrawal of the application means the plans to demolish the glasshouses and replace them with a mixed development of work units, 68 homes, shops and maisonettes on the site next to Round Ring and Old Well Gardens are now on hold.

The development drew a storm of protest from people living nearby over fears that it would devalue their homes, cause traffic problems and congestion and set a precedent for building on green field sites.

A spokesman for the protestors said the move by Poltair means that the company has an opportunity to come back with a different application

"The fact Poltair have withdrawn doesn't mean it has gone away," he said. "They could come back with something else.

"They may have realised had they gone to the planning meeting the planning officers had already recommended rejection of that application.

"They have withdrawn because if they had been refused would have been a record that planning application had been refused. Now they can come back with something else."

And this week those concerns proved justified as Poltair Developments confirmed they had only withdrawn the application temporarily.

Paul Stephens, sales director for Poltair, based in Truro, said the move was to address the concerns of the planning officer.

"We didn't find out his comments and observations until this week," he said. "We think we can solve his concerns with a bit of tweaking and please everybody."