St Ives town councillors have “strongly objected” to plans for a 100-bedroom Premier Inn hotel on the site of an existing care home. 

At a public meeting last night (Thursday, February 23), which was well attended by residents and live-streamed online, councillors voted unanimously to oppose the plans submitted to Cornwall Council by Premier Inn’s parent company Whitbread.

Announced in September, the plans would see the demolition of Trewidden Care Home, to be replaced by an estimated five-storey hotel along with associated landscaping, car parking and associated infrastructure.

Whitbread claims the hotel would represent a £10 million investment and would create 30 permanent jobs.

But the idea sparked anger amongst locals, who voiced concerns about the design, the loss of a care home and the arrival of a hotel chain in a town with plentiful accommodation. 

The planning application has already received 497 written objections from residents. 

Ahead of the meeting, a dozen protesters met at the Trewidden Care Home with banners to express objections, then processed down to the Guildhall, where two representatives made short speeches in the meeting. 

“We are not anti-tourism – we understand its importance to the local economy,” said Sophie Kazan. “But this hotel is not needed, and few in the town would benefit from it in any way. It’s a case of not that, and not here.”

Councillors cited the St Ives Area Neighbourhood Development Plan 2015-2030, which stipulates that new developments within the area should reflect St Ives’ visual and historical character. 

Attention was drawn to the fact that surrounding buildings had granite frontages and pitched roofs, in contrast with the flat roof of the proposed hotel.

“This build is not in keeping,” said Cllr Andrew Mitchell, representing Halsetown Ward and the St Ives Electoral Area for Cornwall Council. 

“The scale of the proposal means it cannot be capable of being integrated into the surrounding landscape. Clearly doesn’t meet the requirements of the neighbourhood plan. It’s way too big and the type of cladding will take years to develop a patina. It will stick out, and shine during the summer months.

“Bearing in mind this unneighbourliness, I move that we do not support the application, and should the planning officer be minded to approve it, I would suggest it goes to court.”

Cllr Steve Hynes decried the proposed structure as a “carbuncle”, adding: “It’s a classic case of a developer going for overkill and then scaling down at a later date. I hate that game as it leads the public down the garden path.”

He also claimed car parking would be insufficient, and public transport an ineffective solution: “The idea of people coming in on the train – what nonsense. Will they provide a shuttle bus, or will a family with children and luggage be expected to walk up the hill on arrival?”

People can view or comment on the plans on the Cornwall Council online planning register HERE.