Plans to build hotel and holiday villas in St Ives spark objections from locals
The plans include a 80-bed hotel and 63 holiday villas
New plans to build a hotel and holiday villas on a site in St Ives have been met with opposition by local residents.
An outline planning application has been submitted to Cornwall Council to build an 80-bed hotel and 63 holiday villas on land south west of Joannies Avenue in St Ives.
But the plans – which were validated on November 19th – have already attracted 26 objections.
A design and access statement submitted with the plans explains that outline planning permission had previously been sought for 165 homes to be built on the site.
This was granted planning permission by Cornwall Council but was called in by the Secretary of State and, the document states, “was not progressed”.
The new plans are to build a hotel along with holiday villas with between two and four bedrooms each.
There are also plans for a community hub which would include a reception for the resort and a shop.
The design and access statement sets out “a vision for a holiday home scheme”.
It states: “The proposed development provides an opportunity to create sustainable contemporary holiday accommodation that has been sensitively designed with the unique Cornish landscape.
“A place for people of all ages set within a thriving town on the edge of a quintessentially Cornish landscape. Energy efficient contemporary villas nestled synthetically into the landscape provides a variety of accommodation types from luxury apartments to private villas.”
In its conclusion the statement says that the development “represents an appropriate proposition in a sustainable location. It will aid in the delivery of a new high quality tourism accommodation that is much needed in St Ives and Cornwall”.
Among the objections are concerns about the traffic which would be attracted to the development and pressure being placed on local services. There are also concerns about the impact on the environment and that the site is close to an Area of Oustanding Natural Beauty.
Richard Hunt said: “I wish to object to this application on the basis that the development would place additional pressure on the town of St Ives in terms of congestion, both from pedestrians and vehicles, as well as additional pressures on medical services and in particular the Stennack Surgery, where it is becoming increasingly difficult to get appointments during the peak holiday season when non-residents have to access the already limited medical services.
“If St Ives is to retain its reputation as a lovely place to visit whilst holidaying in Cornwall, then over development of the town must be controlled.”
Lucy Beaghen said: “I object to this application on environmental grounds. I live in Rosewall Close directly adjacent to these fields. I have objected previously twice to the other applications. These fields should never be built on anymore than they are already.”
She added: “We do not need a hotel or lodges. It is against our local neighbourhood plan as the lodges would soon become second homes.”
David Morris said: “I am disgusted at the idea of this, St Ives is already too overcrowded. The town does not have the capacity or infrastructure to deal with the extra visitors each year.”
And he added: “St Ives does not need yet another hotel or holiday homes. So many properties and hotels have already been empty for the most of this year, locals are being driven out of the town as there is nowhere to live permanently.”
And Kay Bartlett said: “This holiday park is not going to be good for St Ives. The town and beaches are already overcrowded in the summer, where are these holiday makers supposed to go. The town is so overcrowded in the season, it can’t take any more. It will also be empty for months on end. A total waste of a beautiful area of St Ives. If this land is destined to be developed, it should be for low cost housing, affordable housing for the local population.”