The controversial development on the site of the former Cottage Hotel in Boskerris Road, Carbis Bay was considered at Cornwall Council’s Planning Committee today. The owner had applied for a change of use for the newly completed development of 37 apartments. The proposal was to convert the over 55’s housing scheme to an “aparthotel” – a form of serviced holiday accommodation.
Following speeches by Councillor Johnnie Wells, Mayor of St Ives and St Ives’ Cornwall Councillors, Linda Taylor and Andrew Mitchell, the Committee debated the proposals at length -which were recommended for approval – but ultimately listened to local views and refused the application.
There were concerns that the application did not support the St Ives neighbourhood plan policy for permanent homes. The Committee also argued that the aparthotel concept was unclear, and it was difficult to see how conditions to prevent the properties being occupied as self-contained flats could be enforced in the future.
Councillor Wells, Mayor of St Ives addressed the Committee questioning why the developer had sought to market the properties at such high prices. He also argued that with 700 holiday properties in Carbis Bay there was no evidence of need for more accommodation of this kind, but a pressing need for permanent homes.
Councillor Mitchell also expressed concern that after 7 years, no agreement to access the site had been reached with Network Rail and questioned whether it was, therefore, deliverable.
Speaking after the decision, the Mayor of St Ives said
“This is a victory for local people. We value our visitor economy, but the parish is reaching saturation point – St Ives and Carbis Bay needs more homes not aparthotels.”
View the Planning Application on Cornwall Council’s Website here.
