CAMPAIGNERS are celebrating a businesses’ redevelopment plans being refused following concerns the scheme would ruin a historic church footpath and a quiet cul-de-sac.

Cornwall Council has refused a planning application submitted by TLS Solicitors in St Michael’s Road to demolish its premises and construct a mix use building consisting of offices, nine residential units and parking.

Planners concluded the proposal's footprint, scale and massing would cause harm to the intrinsic character and appearance of Ennors Road.

Residents and Newquay Town Council objected to the scheme as it would involve knocking down part of the historic wall, which backs onto the public church footpath and the cul-de-sac of Ennors Road to create a new vehicle access connecting the solicitor’s car park to the road.

Residents in Ennors Road also opposed the scheme arguing vehicles cutting across the footpath into the cul-de-sac would have a detrimental impact on the neighbourhood. They also highlighted concerns about safety, congestion, and the potential loss of mature trees.

A spokesperson for the Save Newquay Church Path campaign group, which was established to fight the plans, said: “It is good news the application has been refused by Cornwall Council.

“There is no doubt there will be a second planning application in the pipeline. Hopefully that will be smaller, better designed and compliant to legal requirements as well as not interfering with the historic wall, not endangering pedestrians on the public right of way and not involving Ennors Road in any way. We will be watching.”

A resident added: “I’m hopeful, but apparently the rejection notes do not mention the Church Path, Ennors Road, historic wall situation. It’s not over, sadly.”

TLS Solicitors said the redevelopment would modernise its headquarters to better serve clients and support future growth.

Cornwall Council’s refusal notice stated: “The proposal's footprint, scale and massing causes harm to the intrinsic character and appearance of Ennors Road identified within character area 10a of the Newquay Character Assessment.

“The proposal's height, massing and proximity to 2, Ennors Road also results in a development that would be oppressive to the residential amenity of this neighbouring property and would also be oppressive to the outlook of, and reduce daylight to, ground floor west facing flats at 21-23 St Michaels Road to an extent which is considered unreasonable.

“The application, therefore, would fail to introduce a well-designed place into the community.

“The proposal fails to provide an appropriate mechanism to secure an off-site contribution for educational infrastructure and public open space, for which there is evidence of an identified need.”