Meudon Hotel, Mawnan Smith, decision made on holiday units

Meudon Hotel near Mawnan Smith wanted to build the new holiday units above the valley in the hotel gardens which lead down to a semi-private beach.

The plan was for the buildings to be bought by investors and leased back to the hotel to serve as luxury guest accommodation with jacuzzis and views over the sea in an area of outstanding natural beauty. The investors and their families or friends would be entitled to stay in the accommodation up to six weeks a year.

The new buildings would be built along the top ridge of the valley above the gardens of the hotel which were originally stocked by the Fox family.

The plans also included a swimming pool, restaurant, gym and fitness suite.

Company CEO Nigel Chapman told the Packet at the time that the hotel needed the new accommodation in order for it to survive. 

Meudon Hotel (Image: Meudon Hotel)

But the local residents were very concerned about the application saying it would be a "massive" overdevelopment in a protected landscape on an undeveloped part of the coast where they will be visible from the coast path. They formed an action group opposing the application.

It also attracted over 180 comments on Cornwall Council's planning portal.

The county council agreed issuing a refusal notice saying the proposed development fails to conserve and enhance the landscape character and natural beauty of the Cornwall Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, which is a highly sensitive location.

It said the the introduction of holiday units into this wooded valley garden would be to the detriment of the natural qualities of this tranquil setting, due to their scale, design, siting and their associated residential paraphernalia, access and parking, associated engineering works, and increased light pollution.

Responding to the decision, Nigel Chapman, chairman at Kingfisher Resorts said the company was carefully considering its next steps: “We were naturally disappointed at the decision made on our proposed planning application for Hotel Meudon.

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"We are currently reviewing a detailed report from the case officer and the reasons for refusal, and carefully considering next steps.

“The development and enhancement of Hotel Meudon remains essential to secure its sustainable future along with the legacy of the extensive gardens. We remain committed to the delivery of a high quality scheme to achieve that objective. Above all else, we want to work collaboratively with our community and will ensure we continue an open dialogue moving forwards.”