Plans to replace hotel with flats in Newquay

A plan to demolish a former hotel and replace it with a block of seven flats has been earmarked for approval.

The planning application for the redevelopment of the former Offshore Hotel in Pentire Avenue in Newquay is set to go before Cornwall Council’s central sub-area planning committee on Monday (Sept7).

Planning officers have recommended it to be approved despite objections from local Cornwall councillor Joanna Kenny and Newquay Town Council.

Under the plans a five-storey building would be erected with seven flats – six would be two-bedroom flats and the top floor would have a three-bedroom flat.

The applicant, Matt Cavill of Cornovia Homes, plans to provide 14 parking spaces for the development which already has outline planning permission.

A separate planning application to build two homes behind the flats was approved by the council in July.

In a design and access statement submitted with the application the applicant states: “We are confident that a scheme of seven flats can be accommodated on the site without impacting detrimentally upon the amenities of neighbouring occupiers or harming the character of the area, adding valuable housing stock to Newquay and enabling further support to be given to local and community facilities.”

The design of the flats has been altered after the application was referred to the Cornwall Design Review Panel (CDRP) and comments which were made by the town council.

However both Cllr Kenny and the town council do not believe that all the recommendations from the CDRP have been acted on.

Cllr Kenny, who asked that the application be decided by the committee, said: “I acknowledge there has been some positive work on the design issues. But the prominent appendage on the front still remains and therefore the design is not meeting the recommendations of the CDRP. Local people feel very strongly against the design and I understand another detailed critical case is going to be presented.”

In its submission Newquay Town Council said: “Members noted that revisions had taken place to this scheme, following the suggested engagement with the Cornwall Design Review Panel. Whilst it is appreciated that some of the CDRP recommendations have been acted upon, there are also a number of recommendations that have not figured in the revised plans.

“Members did not feel that the appearance and imposing nature of this building, described by the CDRP as an ‘unadorned form’ had been sufficiently addressed.

"Local concerns continue to be directed at the overbearing height of the build and members were not convinced that the setting back of the 4th storey had been significant enough to negate its impact on the existing street scene.

“The relationship between this scheme and the proposals for the land to the rear of the former Offshore Hotel remains a concern and members would argue that these schemes should be considered alongside each other, rather than dealt with separately.”

The central sub-area planning committee will meet on Monday (Sept7) to decide the application.