Details of plans to demolish a former four-storey hotel and replace it with a six-storey 35-room ‘aparthotel’ have been revealed.

Blakesley Estates Ltd has applied for planning permission to create the serviced hotel apartments at Mount Wise in Newquay.

If the proposals are approved it would mean the former 28-room Sutherland Hotel, which was popular with stag parties, would be demolished. The hotel, which featured a pub called the Top of the Town, stands near Newquay Parish Church and Trenance Learning Academy.

Falmouth Packet: The rear of the proposed aparthotel at Mount Wise, NewquayThe rear of the proposed aparthotel at Mount Wise, Newquay (Image: LHC Design)

A pre-application in January 2022 featured 45 units (36 holiday and nine private). This was reduced to 43 with 27 holiday and 16 private at a design review panel stage, before being reduced further still for a full application for 35 wholly holiday units following public consultation.

The development – which also includes a spa, fitness suite and co-working hub – is proposed as two complementary blocks of apartments linked by an internal landscaped court at ground floor level. The northern block would include 26 apartments over six storeys, while the southern block delivers nine apartments over four storeys. The accommodation would include 23 two-bed apartments, 11 one-bed apartments and one three-bed apartment, with a basement car park featuring 32 spaces.

Falmouth Packet: How the aparthotel at Mount Wise, Newquay, would lookHow the aparthotel at Mount Wise, Newquay, would look (Image: LHC Design)

Six members of the public have currently commented on the proposals on the council’s planning portal, all objecting. The scale and size of the building not being in keeping with the Mount Wise area is the main bone of contention. Newquay Town Council also objected, stating: “Members agreed the height of the proposed aparthotel was excessive and would appear quite at odds with neighbouring buildings, having failed to respect the overall street scene along Mount Wise.”

Falmouth Packet: The courtyard area of the mooted aparthotel at Mount Wise, NewquayThe courtyard area of the mooted aparthotel at Mount Wise, Newquay (Image: LHC Design)

LHC Design, on behalf of Blakesley Estates Ltd, says in its design statement: “The scheme does look to challenge the scale and ridge height of the immediate existing context, whilst still being respectful to local landmarks such as Newquay Parish Church and the character of the wider town. It is designed to introduce a significant focal point at the end of Marcus Hill vista and as such will break the skyline on Mount Wise Road, the proposal being of a larger scale than nearby visible buildings.

“Views of Newquay Parish Church of St Michael will however remain, and the introduction of the proposals will not significantly impact the experience or the nature of the view of the church itself. The scale of the new building will mean that it is a dominant feature in the wider landscape, however it will be read as an integral part of the townscape, and it does not significantly alter the nature of this broader contextual view.

The planning application is awaiting a decision.