A major development at Hayle Harbour has taken a step forward after planning permission was granted for the first phase but there were concerns raised about the amount of affordable housing.

Outline planning permission has already been approved for the £250 million development of North Quay.

Today Cornwall Council’s strategic planning committee granted approval to a reserved matters application for 143 homes, retail, community and leisure floorspace, industrial units and public open space.

The application had been deferred earlier this year after there were concerns about the design of the development – specifically about the height of the buildings.

As a result of that the developers have worked with a number of different organisations in tweaking the designs to make them more acceptable.

The North Quay site is part of the World Heritage Site and there were concerns that the earlier designs could impact on the historic site.

The International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS) was also consulted on the plans which have received support from Historic England, the World Heritage Site office and Hayle Town Council.

Simon Wright, from applicants Stennybridge, told the committee: “There are many benefits from the development, it will provide much needed homes and create additional jobs.”

He said the company had been “encouraged” by the amount of enquiries it had received about the development.

Committee member Andrew Long said he was concerned about the lack of affordable housing in the proposed development.

But council officers said the affordable housing would be in the next two phases of the development which are situated away from the waterfront.

Cllr Long said: “If phases two and three don’t come forward could we lose any affordable housing in this development?”

Officers said they were confident the rest of the development would come forward in planning applications and  work was already underway in getting them submitted.

The application was approved.