COUNCIL chiefs have defended their potential plan to build a care home in a Newquay car park following fears the scheme could have a detrimental impact on the town’s trade.

Cornwall Council argues it has come up with various ways to increase parking in the summer months following a backlash against its proposal to relocate Penberthy Care Home on Mount Wise to Tregunnel Hill car park.

The unitary authority argues it has already introduced additional spaces at Tolcarne, funded the summer Park and Ride, and improved rail, walking and cycling links through the Mid Cornwall Metro project to help alleviate parking pressures during the peak season.

But Newquay BID manager Mark Warren has written to Dan Rogerson, Cornwall Council’s transport and parking portfolio holder, to outline his “dismay” the scheme is even being considered.

It follows Cornwall Council previously building 18 self-contained SoloHaus homeless pods in the Tregunnel Hill car park in 2024, which resulted in 95 car park spaces being lost.

Mr Warren said: “I’m dismayed that this could even be considered as an option in a town that is already under significant parking pressure.

“The loss of additional parking spaces in Newquay would be detrimental to the town centre and our business community for several reasons, which include reduced accessibility into the town centre for residents, visitors and workers.

“Potential reduction in footfall for local shops, cafés, restaurants and independent businesses.

“Negative impacts on tourism and visitor spending in a town whose economy relies heavily on hospitality and tourism.

“Increased pressure on existing parking infrastructure, which is already stretched during peak periods.

“Risk of discouraging visitors from spending longer in the town centre and supporting local businesses.

“Additional challenges for year-round businesses already facing rising operating costs and economic pressures.

“Parking is not simply a transport issue. It is an economic issue.

“Newquay’s economy relies on people being able to access the town easily.

“Fewer parking spaces could mean fewer visitors, reduced trade, lower spending in local businesses and wider impacts on the vitality of the town centre.

“At a time when we should be focused on regeneration, supporting business growth and bringing vacant and dilapidated buildings back into use, proposals that remove further parking capacity risk moving in the wrong direction.

“Newquay needs investment, accessibility and support for its economy.

“Not additional pressure on an already stretched parking system.”

A spokesperson for Cornwall Council said: “Transport and accessibility are key to the vitality of Newquay town centre, and we recognise the role parking plays for residents, visitors, workers and local businesses.

“Newquay faces additional pressure during the peak season, which is why our approach has been to support access to the town in a range of ways.

“This includes providing additional parking at Tolcarne, funding the summer Park and Ride, and improving rail, walking and cycling links through the Mid Cornwall Metro project.

“We will continue to work with stakeholders and the local community to build on the significant investment already made and support access to Newquay town centre.”