There was a large turnout on Monday at a drop-in session giving more details about plans to extend Helston's Bulwark estate.

Coastline Housing hopes to build 75 affordable homes on agricultural land adjoining Bulwark Road, after the current Home Choice Register states that 615 affordable rental properties are needed in Helston.

The housing association is looking to build 14 one-bedroom flats (12 of which would be for affordable rent and two to buy through shared ownership), 29 two-bedroom houses (16 rental and 13 shared ownership), one two-bedroom bungalow (for rent), 25 three-bedroom houses (12 rental and 13 shared ownership) and six four-bedroom houses (four rental and two shared ownership).

For these the company is proposing to allocate a total of 136 parking spaces.

Advice given by Cornwall Council ahead of a planning application being submitted indicates potential issues over noise, design and access but states if these were resolved the proposal "could well be supported."

The council said it would look for 25 per cent of the homes to be affordable, but that the 100 per cent proposed was "welcomed." These would need to remain affordable for local people.

The potential impact to the surrounding roads was a "concern" to the council, which said "detailed improvements" near Nansloe Academy would be needed.

Coastline is proposing to create the access road through an area currently used for overflowing parking in front of the school.

The company has acknowledged that the development would mean removing this area, but said it would be replaced with an increased number of parallel spaces in the current position and within the new development fronting the school.

"In addition, the road layout within the development includes a loop allowing the vehicles to enter and leave forwards, without the need for turning manoeuvres," it added.

The land, known as HX3, is one of three sites identified in the Helston Town Framework 18 months ago as being possible to develop, with the document stating this one had the potential for 270 to 370 homes - although Coastline's proposal is for 75 only.

The proposal has caused concern among people already living in Bulwark Road, many of which attended the drop-in session.

Among them were Beverley Williams and Andrew Hinder, who live immediately behind the field proposed for development.

Ms Williams, who has lived on the estate for 21 years, 15 of them her current house, feared such a large development so close by would devalue her property.

She said: "We're right in the thick of it - they're taking away our view. That's right on our back wall."

She also believed the development would be seen from Loe Bar, which was an area of outstanding natural beauty.

Ms Williams claimed that she and her partner had applied for to create a hardstanding area on their garden around eight years, to create a parking space, but were denied because of the access to nearby Nansloe Academy.

Mr Hinder added: "They objected to us putting in a drop kerb in for two cars and now they're looking to put a road in for what could be 150 cards. What kind of joke system is that? It's congested enough as it is."

He also described the proposed access as "an absolute joke," saying: "To think you have got kids going to that school and they're proposing to put a busy road across it.

"There is already access from Meneage Road, because they have the horse show, and you have got a proper main road you can turn off. It's a total joke to think to put it across a school."

Jeanette Johns, who also neighbours the site, said she realised a person could not buy a view, but she was worried about a loss of light.

Matt Ward, head of development at Coastline Housing, said: "Ninety-one people attended the consultation event, which was a great turn out.

"The principal concern raised by attendees to the event was around the proposed access to the new development, the increase in the volume of traffic it would bring and how this relates to Nansloe Academy.

"There were plans on display at the event to show how the existing access and informal parking area adjacent to the school can be redesigned to create a new safe and suitable access into the proposed development together with improving the entrance and parking provisions for the school."

He added that affordable housing schemes such as this were a "crucial step" in meeting the demand.

"Attendees to the consultation event also included individuals and families who are interested in renting or buying a shared ownership home from Coastline at this development.

"Our intention is now to review all comments received before submitting a full planning application in approximately a month's time," said Mr Ward.