Calls to use Cornish hotel's controversial meetings rooms to house the homeless
The Carbis Bay has been ordered to remove them after losing an appeal
Last updated 14th Feb 2022
Hundreds of people have reacted to the Carbis Bay Hotel being ordered to remove lodges built without planning permission with some suggesting they should be used to house homeless people.
The luxury resort was told last week that its appeal against an enforcement notice from Cornwall Council had been unsuccessful.
A planning inspector has upheld the enforcement notice which requires the hotel to remove the unauthorised buildings and return the site to its original state.
The three buildings were erected in early 2021 with the hotel claiming that the nine meeting rooms in them were required for it to host the G7 summit with world leaders last summer.
However, it did not have planning permission for the development but submitted a retrospective application to Cornwall Council which was later withdrawn. As a result the council served an enforcement notice.
More than 400 people submitted objections to the development and there were many comments made this week after the appeal decision was announced.
While many welcomed the decision, not all agreed. On Facebook Ellen Hendriks said: “This is so stupid. They’re already up and the land has already been damaged and wildlife will have scarpered. Total waste of money, time and effort! All those materials that will probably now end up in landfill! Better to fine the hotel as a lesson for doing it and let them keep them.”
Andy Mitchell commented: “They won’t care too much, they made enough cash to cover them during G7. Better off turning them into council houses for locals.”
Chan Turner added: "Good. The government chose the location because it had everything they needed anyway they didn’t ask for the changes they made. They built for greed and now it’s biting back".
Sharon Hinds said: "Do something good, turn them into something that will give families a chance for a week by the sea. I’m Cornish and worked in London schools and some children have never been to a beach and the hotel could feed them".
And Kerry Edwards commented: "Permission or not what a glorious waste of money. Surely there’s a better way! Maybe turn it into affordable homes for local people! Absolutely shocking!"
Becky Edwards added: "Obviously I care more about the environment and natural habitat. But now they are there they should lift them out carefully and sell them or replace them somewhere – such a waste of money! Could home some people in need of shelter".