MAJOR housing plans in Newquay have been revised following concerns residents would be detrimentally impacted by noise from the new household waste recycling centre being built.

New noise mitigation measures and boundary treatments have been incorporated in the scheme, which involves constructing 163 dwellings including 48 affordable units on 15 acres of greenfield land at Polhendra,

It follows SUEZ requesting the planning authority require the applicant to submit a fully revised noise assessment that “accurately” reflected the household waste recycling scheme earmarked to be built on land adjacent to the Newquay Strategic Route, opposite Hendra Holiday Park.

The company argued the noise impacts on future residents could not be reliably understood until “such information” was provided.

New measures include an agreed four metre acoustic fence being installed along the proposed recycling site while the proposed layout of the closest block closest has been redesigned to minimise any potential noise impacts to acceptable levels.

The housing scheme also involves building a new access off the A392, open space, play space and access as well as new roads.

Maypool Estates Ltd, on behalf of developer Newquay Homes Ltd, in the planning statement said: “The western edge of the scheme has been redesigned to provide an extended built form between the household waste recycling centre and the wider residential development.

“The revised terrace, together with the proposed four metre acoustic boundary treatment, forms part of the overall acoustic mitigation strategy. The updated noise assessment provides the supporting technical evidence for this approach.

“The house types and accommodation along this edge have been revised to strengthen the built form and acoustic screening while maintaining an appropriate residential frontage. The inclusion of the four-metre fence and the scheme design changes mean that there are no noise related reasons to refuse the application.

“The internal environment of all residential units will be acceptable in amenity terms. The relevant properties in the closest block to the household waste recycling centre will benefit from type A glazing and high-performance trickle ventilation in order to mitigate any noise impacts internally.

“The façades of affected properties directly fronting the proposed household waste recycling centre will act as a barrier to noise and will experience a significant adverse impact. These facades are acting as a buffer for the entire scheme, and the internal environment and outdoor amenity space of each property will be acceptable.”

Maypool Estates Ltd argues the proposed development should be approved as there is a shortfall in market housing in Cornwall.

It stated: “The delivery of 163 homes including 48 affordable homes on an allocated site must be given substantial weight at the time of the council having such a critical shortfall.

Find out about planning applications that affect you by visiting the Public Notice Portal.

“There is a shortfall in market housing in Cornwall, and this is likely to have played an important role in housing becoming less affordable in terms of purchase prices compared to salaries. The delivery of 115 market units is a substantial public benefit of the scheme.”