Cornwall Council has received a planning application for a proposal to revitalise a former attraction which closed almost two years ago.
R G Morcom Holdings Ltd has applied for permission to change the use of the ground floor of the former Shipwreck Centre in Charlestown from museum use to "allow a range of appropriate commercial, business and service uses capable of responding to changing market conditions and local demand".
A heritage statement says it could be used "to accommodate uses such as a bakery, café, etc".
The former Shipwreck and Heritage Centre originated as a china clay store, built in around 1906/07 to store blocks of china clay.
Previous owner Sir Tim Smit put the property and business up for sale in August 2024, citing maintenance costs and a shift in focus towards other Cornish projects like the Lost Gardens of Heligan.
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The final seasonal event wrapped up in late December 2024 and the site was closed down.
The Maritime Archaeology Sea Trust (MAST) stepped in to purchase and secure over 500 of the most historically sensitive protected wreck artefacts, keeping them out of private hands. Local groups, including the Charlestown History Group, acquired specific pieces tied directly to the village's local heritage.
The remaining items from the massive maritime collection went to public auction in late 2024.
The proposal would see the reinstatement of historic openings, replacement of windows and doors, replacement of existing timber cladding with oak-effect composite cladding and associated external alterations.
A planning statement says: "The reopening of historic openings represents a positive heritage intervention which improves the legibility of the original industrial buildings and better reveals aspects of the site's historic development.
"The proposal does not alter the building's overall scale, massing or roof form and therefore preserves the established townscape character of the conservation area."
The heritage statement says: "The scheme comprises a change of use of the ground floor of the building to a flexible class E use to accommodate uses such as a bakery, café, etc. This will include reinstating the blocked-up openings to the former china clay stores and the removal of concrete block partitions within the stores which were introduced during the conversion of the building to a museum in the later 20th century."
The application adds: "The proposals preserve and enhance the character and appearance of the Charlestown Conservation Area, improve the building's appearance and functionality and secure its long-term viable use.
"The development accords with the Cornwall Local Plan and the National Planning Policy Framework and should therefore be supported through the grant of planning permission."
For more details see planning application PA26/04781.
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Council Receives Plan to Revive Closed Charlestown Shipwreck Centre