A BUSINESS group has welcomed assurances Cornwall Council will review alternative sites across Newquay before progressing proposals to relocate a care home to car park.

Mark Warren, the manager of Newquay BID, was pleased to hear Trenance Cornwall councillor Drew Creek has challenged the unitary authority to review all potential alternative locations following plans to relocate Penberthy Care Home on Mount Wise to Tregunnel Hill car park.

Mayor Cllr Creek is appealing for different areas across Newquay to be looked at including derelict buildings, vacant properties and brownfield sites, before any further decisions are made.

But Mr Warren believes that from a BID and business perspective, Tregunnel Hill car park should be removed from consideration altogether.

It follows concerns that losing further car park spaces would damage trade in the town.

Mr Warren said: “"This is not about opposing care provision.

“Newquay needs better care provision and investment in facilities for local residents.

“However, I do not believe that should come at the expense of a vital piece of town centre infrastructure when alternative locations are available.

"Parking provision is critical to Newquay's economy.

“If visitors cannot find a space, many simply choose to go elsewhere.

“That has a direct impact on local businesses, jobs and investment, particularly during the peak season when many businesses generate the income they need to survive through the quieter months.

"There are also important planning and infrastructure considerations that should not be overlooked.

“When housing was developed at Tregunnel Hill, the density of development and limited on-street parking provision were accepted because of the availability of parking within Tregunnel Hill car park.

“The car park therefore forms part of the wider infrastructure supporting that area and reducing its capacity will inevitably place additional pressure on surrounding residential streets and the local road network.

"The strategic importance of the site was recognised again in 2022 when specialist accommodation pods were approved on a temporary basis.

“As part of that planning consent, a condition was imposed requiring the development to be removed and the site restored within 10 years, with September 2032 identified as the latest return date.

"That condition specifically recognised the future role of Tregunnel Hill car park within Newquay's wider parking strategy and acknowledged the importance of retaining parking capacity for the town in the longer term.

"The same planning discussions also referenced the need for a permanent park and ride solution to help offset parking pressures within Newquay. More than two years later, that permanent solution has still not materialised.

"For that reason, I do not believe parking spaces at Tregunnel Hill should be counted multiple times against successive developments without the replacement infrastructure first being delivered.

“The town has already absorbed parking losses and the mitigation that was expected to accompany them has not arrived.

"For all of these reasons, I believe no further parking spaces should be removed from Tregunnel Hill car park and that Cornwall Council should instead focus on alternative sites that do not undermine Newquay's parking infrastructure.”