A popular National Trust property near Truro is looking to expand to cater for an increased demand in visitors.

Trelissick Gardens in Feock has submitted a planning application to develop visitor infrastructure

The improvements planned include a new 250-space car park and a reconfiguration of how visitors enter the site, plus a safe crossing point on the highway.

The Trelissick estate covers 255 hectares and was gifted to the National Trust in 1955 and in a design and access statement it says it is “one of the trust’s most significant visitor business properties in the South West”.

It says that visitor numbers are expected to continue to increase having risen from 126,000 in 2013/14 to 225,000 in 2019/20.

The document explains that “the current arrangement for parking will not accommodate the expected rise in visitor numbers”.

It adds: “Even under current circumstances it causes traffic management problems and safety issues.

“Other infrastructure including the food and beverage facilities are at capacity and cannot manage existing visitors nor absorb additional ones.”

The proposals include removing car parking from its current location next to Grade II-listed buildings and plans to restore a Grade II-listed walled garden. The National Trust say the changes would “transform visitor arrival”.