One of the most controversial developments for Porthleven for many years has been given the go-ahead at the fourth attempt.

Trevor Osborne has been given planning permission to build his much-wanted 'Innovation Building' in Porthleven Shipyard.

Two previous applications have been refused, most recently on July 2 when a Cornwall Council planning committee went against officer recommendation to vote 8-7 against it. A third application was withdrawn.

This morning, however, the council's planning committee approved the plans at the fourth time of asking, by 11 votes to four.

Planning consultants acting on his behalf said in this most recent application that the revised plans were "very much a resubmission of the recent refusal" but with the windows now made white.

Porthleven Harbour and Dock Company, owned by Mr Osborne, previously said it was lodging an appeal against the previous refusal, but the consultants added that if permission was granted on this application then the pending appeal would be withdrawn.

It means work can now begin on the building in an area that has been used for unofficial parking.

Plans state the ground floor will be made up of office and light industrial spaces, with new public toilets and a shower room, access by a new integrated bus shelter.

The first floor will mainly be open plan workspace and studios, and will have a viewing platform to look across the harbour.

The circular section of the building will house an open plan creative workspace available to individuals to work alongside other digital business users, while the rectangular two-storey building to the rear will be available to small companies looking for undivided work space appropriate to their needs, but with the opportunity to expand.

Porthleven Town Council objected to the application, as did town mayor and Cornwall councillor for the port Andrew Wallis.

He has spoken of his disappointment at this morning's decision, which he said did not take into account the 100 or so people who wrote letters of objection.

He also claimed that the amount of jobs that the plans said would be created had reduced from 70 in earlier applications to 20 in the now-approved version.

Mr Wallis said: "Depending on which side of the fence you sit, you will either be happy this building has been approved, or like me, very sad a building will be built which will have more harm to the fabric of Porthleven than good."

More to follow.