The proposal for a retail park, homes and sports pitches at West Langarth is set to go before Cornwall Council's strategic planning committee again next week.

It is returning after being deferred in March when developers Inox said it could have spelled the end of the Stadium for Cornwall project.

However council planning officers have once again recommended to councillors that they reject the plans saying that the harm outweighs any benefits.

It is a major blow to the stadium which would be home to the Cornish Pirates and is also backed by Truro and Penwith College.

However planners have earmarked plans for a new ground for Truro City FC at Silver Bow to go ahead.

The planning documents going before the committee on the scheme which could fund the Stadium for Cornwall include an agreement that the development would not be occupied until the "First Stage Stadium" has been completed and is open for use. This would provide a 6,000 capacity stadium with 4,200 seats.

It is envisaged that the stadium could eventually provide 10,000 seats but the addition would only be provided if required by the Cornish Pirates.

However in their report council planning chiefs state that they are still concerned about the impact the retail part of the development would have on Truro City Centre and whether the development would provide for the stadium.

In their summary they write: "Following careful consideration of all relevant issues, the adverse impacts of the proposal are considered to significantly and demonstrably outweigh its benefits.

"In particular: the harm to the vitality and viability of retailing in Truro City Centre; adverse landscape impacts; significant doubts over the ability of the development to deliver the stadium and the harm to the proper planning of the area. Accordingly the recommendation is one of refusal."

The Stadium for Cornwall partners said: "We are disappointed that having addressed the four issues that councillors asked us to address when they deferred our application in March, officers are still recommending refusal despite recognising the significant potential benefits of our enabling scheme.

"Retail impact was something that was debated at length in March and members decided this was not an issue that needed to be brought back to committee. Our scheme was also the only retail proposal supported by Truro Chamber of Commerce because of the additional spend the Stadium would generate in the city centre.

"The choice before councillors is a clear one. We are confident our scheme can deliver the Stadium for Cornwall and the benefits that would flow from it for local sport, business, education and leisure across Cornwall. It would be a tragedy to dash this once in a lifetime opportunity."

On the same planning committee agenda officers have recommended approval of outline plans for Truro City Football Club's new ground at Silver Bow.

The club is looking to move to the new ground with plans to develop its current home in Treyew Road into a retail park – a development which is also recommended for approval.

The strategic planning committee will meet next Thursday July 30.