Cornish family plans new holiday resort near Newquay with 450 lodges
The proposals also include a swimming pool complex, three restaurants and sports and health hubs
A renowned development company, run by a Cornish family, is planning to build a holiday resort near Newquay.
The proposals include up to 450 lodges, a swimming pool complex, three restaurants and sports and health hubs.
A report to agree the scope of an environmental impact assessment has been submitted to Cornwall Council ahead of an outline planning application by Kingsley Developments for what is being called the Mountjoy Resort on 67.1 hectares of undeveloped land at the hamlet of the same name.
The site is around a kilometre to the north east of Quintrell Downs and 500 metres south of Colan, on the northern side of the A392.
The objective of the initial process is to identify and evaluate all significant environmental effects of the proposed development during construction and operation.
The applicant, Kingsley Developments, run by the Simpson family, is one of the region’s leading property developers and investors. It develops and operates a portfolio of residential, retail and leisure developments throughout Cornwall and the South West. The Kingsley Village shopping centre at Fraddon, Skinner’s Brewery and the Thomas Daniell pub in Truro are among assets associated with the company.
The scoping report by planning consultant Axis states: “The applicant aims to create a prestigious development that has the potential to be a nationally important project with the opportunity to promote biodiversity and sustainability through good design. It would be a 21st century eco park, which is centred on embedding sustainability within its operations.
“There would be an emphasis on reducing carbon emissions through the materials used in construction, and the efficient use of heat and power throughout the site. In addition, energy requirements will be sourced via renewable methods, with the inclusion of a solar farm to meet the required energy load. The intention would be for the proposed development to operate at net zero.”
While the precise details of the resort have not been finalised, it is likely to include up to 450 “luxury and contemporary” holiday lodges with a mix of one to five bed accommodation. This is likely to comprise permanent lodges and may include some apartments . The aim is to provide a mix of accommodation to cater for “local and national holiday makers comprising couples, families and larger groups”.
The current working assumption is that around 35 per cent of the lodges would be fleet/rental units and around 65 per cent privately owned. There would be an additional 30 to 40 lodges for staff accommodation.
A mix of facilities would include a reception area, swimming pool complex, spa / gym, sports halls, entertainment venue, shops, restaurants, bar and café. A range of outdoor activities would include picnic areas, play areas, running / walking trails and outdoor sports pitches.
The plans are likely to include a new road access off the A392 and internal road infrastructure and car parking. The amount of parking is to be determined but could include around 80 spaces for visitors. There would be a replacement of existing bus stops on the A392 – in discussion with local bus operators – to provide safer, sheltered bus stop provision, supported by pedestrian crossings.
The resort would also include a convenience store providing a small supermarket style offer, launderette, administration office and first aid facility. Restaurants would include a fine dining establishment with al fresco balcony dining, a gastro pub or bistro and a simpler option based on a pizzeria / fish and chip shop, offering both eat-in and takeaway facilities.
An indoor hall would provide space for multi-use indoor sports such as basketball, badminton, five-a-side football, indoor hockey, indoor bowls, etc. There would also be a pool hub including a luxury swimming pool with a sauna, steam room and jacuzzi facilities.
No illustration of the resort has been provided at this stage, as it is currently being developed to take into account the outcomes of the early-stage environmental assessment work and site constraints information.