PLANS to convert a redundant restaurant in Newquay town centre into apartments have been approved despite objections.

A developer has been given the go ahead to turn the former Ye Olde Dolphin Restaurant in Fore Street into four self-contained flats, together with the conversion of the existing second floor flat to create three self-contained flats.

The scheme also involves the removal of free-standing steel staircase to rear of the premises and construction of new communal stair enclosure to serve the proposed flats, together with ancillary improvement work.

Newquay Town Council’s planning committee welcomed the proposed improvements to the appearance of the property, particularly at the rear, along with the creation of much needed 'market housing' in the town but objected to the scheme as it has “strong concerns” that several of the proposed apartments do not meet the minimum space standards.

Cornwall Council, taking the town council’s comments into consideration, concluded the proposed development is acceptable on balance as the scheme comprises the delivery of housing through the conversion of existing mixed-use premises within a sustainable main town location.

Residents raised several objections to the scheme arguing it would be an overdevelopment and could lead to a road traffic accident due to the number of people in the extra households using the narrow access lane.

Heidi Westbrook said: “The access for two houses and three flats already there is difficult enough for residents and it's often inaccessible due to deliveries to the three catering outlets that also bookend and back into the lane.

“The proposed development means more footfall and traffic coming into the cul-de-sac which opens onto South Quay Hill which is incredibly busy with visitors on foot and harbour traffic, including lifeboat crew year round, being the major access road to the harbour.

“To allow access for another seven flats in a narrow cul-de-sac flanked by commercial businesses and only accessible by a road that is already difficult to navigate because of pedestrians and delivery vans would be more than a mistake, it would be an accident waiting to happen.”

Patricia Emmett added: “There are no pavements in the access 12 foot wide lane.

“If a young child came down the proposed access stairs opened the door to get out ahead of their parents, as children often do, it would be straight on to the access lane where a car might be reversing out, an accident waiting to happen. Walking and driving in and out of the lane is a constant problem.

“It is a blind corner with vehicles up and down South Quay Hill constantly.

“The summer is even worse pedestrians all over the road, ignoring pavements, the lifeboat crew race down the hill at all hours in their cars.

“Emergency vehicles on the odd occasion they have to come to the lane have a real problem, usually abandoning ambulances on the hill disrupting hill traffic.

“If seven flats with 21 bed spaces is allowed I feel it would incur more calls for emergency services than the 10 residents have over the years.

“The property for development has always had stairs on to Fore Street which were used for the restaurant and the one flat on the top floor.

“Could this entrance which has safe wide pavement access be used for the development instead of using the dangerous for pedestrians access lane with no pavements and continue cars moving in and out.”

Vicki Harold said: “Increasing access for a further seven properties and the inevitable increase in traffic with deliveries, drop offs will be extremely detrimental.

“The increase in footfall of residents and visitors will have a significant negative impact, which is quite simply unacceptable.”