PLANS to build a new residential care home in a Newquay car park are being considered.

Cornwall Council is considering relocating Penberthy Care Home on Mount Wise to Tregunnel Hill car park as the building is “no longer fit for purpose.”

The unitary authority is “looking closely” at siting the Sanctuary Care operated care home in a part of the car park, which has been sectioned off by height barriers in a bid to deter travellers, but are also considering other sites.

It follows Cornwall Council previously erecting 18 self-contained homeless pods in the Tregunnel Hill car park despite fears it could be detrimental to businesses in the town centre after 95 car park spaces were lost.

A spokesperson for Cornwall Council said: “We are working with partners across Cornwall to support the development of what is, very much-needed, care home provision.

“As part of this we are working with Sanctuary to identify a new site for Penberthy Care Home in Newquay, as although the current standard of care there is of a high quality, the building is no longer fit for purpose.

“One site up for consideration for this new development is part of Tregunnel car park.

“We are looking closely at this site and considering others as part of this work.”

The team at Penberthy Care Home delivers residential, dementia and respite care for residents. The care home has 39 bedrooms, dining area, communal lounges and an accessible garden.

Sanctuary Care stated about Penberthy Care Home: “Everything we do is shaped by our wonderful residents from our person-centred care plans to our tailored activities programmes and menus shaped by likes and dislikes. No two days in our home are the same.

“We also have connections with the local community with schoolchildren regularly visiting us and local clubs joining to play games.”