Residents in Cornwall protest against plans for new Premier Inn
Over 100 residents opposed to a proposal by Premier Inn to build a 90-room hotel overlooking St Ives packed a planning appeal meeting in the town today.
Over 100 residents today have opposed proposals by Premier Inn to build a 90-room hotel which is set to overlook St Ives.
Premier Inn is appealing against the decision by Cornwall Council members which refused its application in April last year.
This came after the application for the hotel was put in place to replace Cornwallis Nursing Home on Trewidden Road.
Protesters stood with a banner and held placards outside the hotel before the appeal, with many reading ,“Stop the needless monstrosity”, “Save our last remaining care home” and “Stop this corporate carbuncle from ruining St Ives”.
Members of a council planning committee decided last year that if approved the hotel would result in a big impact an the area and its skyline due to its height.
The company Whitbread, which owns the Premier Inn brand, disagreed and continues to argue that any impact would not be “significant” as required by planning law.
Peter Blackshaw, principal development officer at Cornwall Council, countered that the impact on the view from three points within the town’s conservation area had been “somewhat underplayed” by the hotel group.
The areas he says would be affected are the harbour, The Island and The Stennack.
The hearing, much of which discussed planning policy, is due to finish on this afternoon.
The planning inspector was then due to make a site visit to Trewidden Road and walk around St Ives to gain an idea of how the Premier Inn would look from various points in the town.