New flats for NHS key workers in Truro have got the green light
Three accommodation blocks will be built on a site near Truro College, despite concerns over parking
Last updated 3rd Aug 2021
Plans to build new accommodation for NHS staff and key workers have been approved despite concerns about tenants not being allowed to own cars.
Cornwall Council's central sub-area planning committee narrowly voted to grant planning permission for the development which will provide 89 bed spaces.
The accommodation would be built on a site at Gloweth next to Truro College and would only be for key workers.
Royal Cornwall Hospitals' NHS Trust had previously explained that it was having difficulty recruiting and retaining staff due to the high cost of housing in Cornwall.
It is hoped that the new development would provide more affordable accommodation for staff working at Royal Cornwall Hospital at Treliske, Truro.
However local Cornwall councillors and Kenwyn Parish Council had raised objections because the development will not have any parking spaces for residents. Instead there will be just 15 parking spaces which would include some for disabled people and some for use by a car club which would enable residents to hire a car for use when required.
The planning application had been deferred at the planning committee's last meeting because of the parking concerns and the applicant was asked to provide more information about parking.
A suggestion that residents might be able to use the park-and-ride service at Langarth was dismissed because that facility is closed and locked overnight and on Sundays.
Karen La Borde, from Kenwyn Parish Council, said: "Kenwyn Parish are suffering a huge impact locally with regards to parking. Parking residents' permits have been created but the parking problem is being pushed further out to Threemilestone which is now having the same problem.
"It is kind of unrealistic to consider that if this building is for key workers and professionals at the hospital that they wouldn’t have cars.
"I see the idea and welcome the idea but at this moment I don't believe we are ready for it. This will push the parking problem onto Threemilestone".
Cllr La Border said she was also concerned that there was no amenity space proposed for residents of the development.
Martin Pollard, speaking on behalf of applicant Modena Lifestyles Limited, highlighted that the NHS had indicated there was a need for affordable accommodation for the recruitment and retention of staff. He said there were plans for the hospitals trust to recruit 100 doctors and nurses from overseas and the accommodation could assist with that.
Mr Pollard added: "These staff and students do not require a car to carry out their duties and they will benefit massively from having accommodation".
Local Cornwall councillor David Harris said he was concerned that nothing about the application had changed since it was last considered by the committee. He was still concerned about the parking and did not believe the development was suitable.
Committee member John Fitter said it was not practical to expect tenants to not own a car.
He said: "People need cars, people are now being encouraged to buy electric cars. There is nothing horrible about owning a car, we have probably all used a car to get here today".
And Cllr Fitter thought that by presenting the accommodation as being for key workers the application was playing on emotions.
He said: "This application seems to me to be trying to ring all the bells, it is very emotive. We all recognise the work that our NHS staff do and we are very proud of their contribution to the care of the people in Cornwall".
And he added: "A development of this with no parking facilities for residents doesn't ring my bell".
Councillor Michael Bunney said that while he had “lots of sympathy” for Cllr Fitter's concerns he felt there was a need for the council to support developments like this one.
He said: "We are in acute housing need and acute housing need for key workers".
Cllr Bunney said student health workers would be well served as they would be in walking distance of Truro College and the hospital and he also highlighted that students teachers could also use the accommodation.
He said: "If we don't build places for key workers and students nurses where are they going to go?
"Who is going to be housing our key workers in Cornwall? If you go on Right Move it is £1,300 a month for a tiny flat. It is getting worse, and worse, and worse".
Cllr Fitter said: "I understand the need for accommodation and the need for us to grant applications that might provide that accommodation. But we need to be careful not to lock staff to developments that in five or ten years might well not be the vision we wanted them to be".
And he warned fellow councillors: "Do not be swayed by your emotions as it is for Treliske hospital".
Cllr Bunney proposed that the application be approved - the committee voted five in favour and four against.
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