The decision of a government planning inspector to dismiss an appeal and grant permission for 94 homes on the Poolfield site off Bickland Water Road, could be taken to a judicial review.

Falmouth Town Council's planning committee was told on Monday night that discussions were taking place to see if this was a possibility. If so, it would need to be lodged within six weeks of the date of the decision.

Councillor Alan Jewell said: "John Bastin (Cornwall Council member for Budock) has spoken to George Eustice MP and he feels there is a case for calling this in for a judicial review. They are looking into it. If this is the case they may need the support of Falmouth Town Council and Budock Parish Council."

This news came after the inspector's decision to over-rule Cornwall Council's decision to refuse Midas Commercial Developments' application came in for scathing criticism from another councillor.

Steve Eva said: "I think Falmouth and Budock have been let down by the planning inspector. This will set a precedent for the whole of Bickland Water Road. We have tried to keep the space between Falmouth and Budock but this has been totally ignored. The inspector has not taken into account the feelings of the people of both parishes.

"It sometimes makes me wonder why I turn up on Monday night to discuss things. This is one I thought we would never lose. This is worse than Swanpool. We have never ever supported building on this land and they have run rough-shod over everything. We will have planning applications now for the whole of Bickland Water Road."

The committee unanimously agreed to write to Cornwall Council to express the town council's disappointment at the inspector's decision and to ask the county council to support a judicial review, if it should happen.