Care home plan sparks row over loss of car park

2 hours ago

Lee TrewhelaLocal Democracy Reporting Service

News image — Plans are being considered to build a care home on part of Tregunnel Hill car park in Newquay

Google The image shows a mostly empty tarmac car park with just a few vehicles scattered around, bordered by grass, lampposts and a single traffic cone near the marked bays. In the background there are pastel-coloured houses and low buildings, with open countryside stretching out under a cloudy sky. — Plans are being considered to build a care home on part of Tregunnel Hill car park in Newquay

A row is brewing in Newquay over plans to build a new care home on part of a town centre car park.

Business leaders have written to Cornwall Council raising concerns about a proposal to move Penberthy Care Home from Mount Wise to Tregunnel Hill car park.

Newquay BID, which represents local businesses, said it was worried about losing more parking spaces and felt it was being left out of key decisions that affected livelihoods.

The council said the current building was no longer fit for purpose and a new site was needed, with the car park one of several options being explored.

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The move could see even more parking spaces disappear, said the Local Democracy Reporting Service. In 2024, 95 spaces were removed at the site to make way for 18 SoloHaus pods for the homeless.

Mark Warren, manager of Newquay BID, said: "While we fully recognise the importance of providing high-quality care facilities and supporting vulnerable members of our community, we are deeply concerned by the apparent lack of meaningful consultation before these proposals reached an advanced stage."

He added: "Too often, businesses, residents and community partners find themselves hearing about major decisions after discussions have already taken place and preferred options have already emerged.

"Consultation should begin with those who will be most affected, not after decisions have effectively been made elsewhere."

Warren also challenged claims that parking pressure was only a summer issue, saying he saw the car park "operating at full capacity" over the May Bank Holiday.

Labour MP Noah Law backed the concerns, saying: "Taking a strategic approach to parking might seem like a dry and banal point, but it can actually make a massive difference to the livelihood of a town like Newquay."

Cornwall Council said it was still considering options and would "continue to work with stakeholders and the local community".

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