Holiday park in Cornwall extension bid for Towan Valley: decision

Towan Valley Limited, owners of Towan Valley holiday park in Porthtowan had been seeking to build the third phase of its site in the village.

The park has already completed the first phase and has planning permission for a second phase, which would take the total lodges on site to 56.

But it had applied to Cornwall Council for permission to build another 32 lodges along with a reception and leisure building.

Previous planning applications for additional lodges had been refused because of the impact that the development would have on the environment, landscape and character of the area as well as the size and scale of development.

The applicants had said that it needed the additional lodges to meet increased demand which had been caused to people taking “staycation” holidays due to Covid restrictions on travel abroad.

They said that it would provide more employment opportunities and be a significant investment in the area as well as enabling the site to be a year-round resort.

However the application had come up against objections from local people and St Agnes Parish Council.

Stephen Roberts, a local resident who objected, urged Cornwall Council’s central sub-area planning committee not to grant planning permission.

He said: “This site is unsuitable for further development being in a prominent location in the valley. No more development should be approved beyond what has already been permitted.”

Aerial view of how the Towan Valley holiday park in Porthtowan could look once the third phase it is applying for permission for is complete

Mr Roberts said that the application should be refused and the landowner ordered to reinstate the site and remove any earthworks which have been undertaken.

Committee member Mike McLening said: “I can’t see evidence for the need for extra development, I have heard that local businesses are well catered for and making money. I haven’t got any evidence that says there is a need for this.”

John Fitter said he sympathised with that view, adding: “This is another example where we are told that Covid has made a need for this type of business and demand for this type of business. It is purely based on this Covid phenomenon and I do wonder whether if, in two years’ time, where that will be if Covid is behind as, as we all hope, will there be the same demand?”

Cllr Fitter said that nothing had really changed since the plans were last refused permission and said there were equally good reasons now to turn it down.

Michael Bunney agreed and said that he was “struggling” to see the need for another 32 lodges on the site.

He said he considered that there would be “significant harm” caused if the extension went ahead and proposed that the application should be refused planning permission, against the planning officers’ recommendation to approve.

The committee voted unanimously to refuse planning permission.