Never lived in £1m flats in Cornwall could become aparthotel

However, the leader of Cornwall Council has said that plans to turn seaside apartments into a hotel would have a severe impact on Carbis Bay in West Cornwall, and she feared approval could lead to second homes through the back door.

Cllr Linda Taylor was speaking at a council planning meeting this week to discuss plans by by Oceanview Carbis Bay Ltd to turn a block of 37 residential flats for over-55s into an ‘aparthotel’, which would include a gym and reception area.

Councillors heard that the apartments, which have never been occupied, were marketed for between £650,000 and £1.2m on the open market, with not one being sold.

The apartment block was built on the site of the former Cottage Hotel, at Boskerris Road, Carbis Bay.

Original planning consent was given on the proviso that the apartments were sold as primary homes for people aged over 55 in line with the special Policy H2 section of St Ives Area Neighbourhood Development Plan, which states new-build properties should only be for “principal residences” to curb the influx of second homes in the area.

Carbis Bay residents have taken to the council’s planning register airing their concerns about the change of use to a hotel, stating they feel “duped” and “deceived”.

The meeting heard that the ‘aparthotel’ – which would be run like a traditional hotel but with apartments rather than rooms or suites – would be managed for at least 20 years by the neighbouring Carbis Bay Hotel. If approved, the hotel would provide 30 full-time jobs and 18 part-time jobs.

The front of the apartment building, whose owners want to turn it into a hotel to the anger of many Carbis Bay residents (Pic: Cornwall Council)

A planning solicitor, on behalf of the applicant, said: “As people’s working patterns changed during the pandemic, there was a rush from London to the Westcountry. The housing market became very overheated with people who thought they were going to live in the Westcountry and continue to function in the City and be paid accordingly.”

He said the development was a reflection of that, but in reality the expected rush didn’t happen.

Linda Taylor, the council’s leader and member for the area, addressed the meeting and said the change of use would be “wholly inappropriate and have a severe impact on Carbis Bay”.

“If the planning committee gives permission, both the over-55s policy and the restrictions would be circumnavigated and the 37 flats would be used as second homes and / or holiday lets by people of any age.

"Circumnavigating planning restrictions and, in particular, the policy H2 should not be an option for any development, and developers are well aware of that policy when they choose to build in St Ives area,” she added.

Where the proposed hotel sits in relation to the beach and nearby Carbis Bay Hotel, which would manage the \'aparthotel\' if approved. (Pic: Google Earth / Cornwall Council)

“Straightforward – I ask this committee to refuse the application. What Carbis Bay does not need is this proposed development. It adds nothing to the value of the community and could, and will be, second homes thus circumnavigating the local neighbourhood plan and that very bespoke policy.

"Consider the hard work of the community bringing together those policies – the community have placed their trust in the planning process.”

And she said: “I’m really fearful – and I’m speaking on behalf of the community – this is steamrolling that really important H2 policy.”

Loveday Jenkin suggested the whole thing was “a bit of a mess”, while other councillors commented there were “a lot of grey areas” and raised concerns that the hotel’s apartments could possibly be rented or sold in the future.

Members unanimously agreed to defer the matter after councillors asked for more information about policies, conditions and the ownership of the proposed ‘aparthotel’ after questions were asked about Carbis Bay Hotel’s involvement.