St Merryn Holiday Park in Cornwall plans for 'village'

However, a number of neighbouring residents and the local parish council are against the proposals citing the loss of a popular recreation ground and a lack of need for more holiday homes in the area.

Valley Resorts Ltd, which owns St Merryn Holiday Park, near Padstow, has applied to build 46 two-storey holiday homes with a range of one, two, three and four bedroom accommodation – each house would have a parking space.

A design statement lodged with Cornwall Council says: “The owners of the St Merryn Park site understand that to remain competitive within this marketplace, they will have to continually improve their holiday experience and leisure offer. To this end they wish to provide improved support facilities and to widen the accommodation options available.

“The site currently offers a range of lodges and cottages for ownership as holiday accommodation or for rental as self-catering temporary holiday lets. The current holiday home accommodation is supported by several facilities such as an established bar and restaurant as well as a ‘mini-market’, both of which are utilised by both park residents and the public, with the park being open all year.”

A St Merryn resident responded on the council’s planning portal: “There are already at least ten bungalows up for sale here in the immediate vicinity – some have been available for some time – as well as a number of park homes of varying levels of luxury. There is no need for any more holiday lets/second homes.”

Following concerns raised by planning officers upon initial receipt of the application, the scheme was amended to reduce the number of units from 50 to 46. Concerns were also raised by the council’s public health and protection officer in respect of potential noise nuisance from a proposed Multi Use Games Area. As a result, this has been removed from the scheme and the area will be left as open grassland.

How some of the holiday homes would look at St Merryn Holiday Park

The council’s east sub-area planning committee will make a decision on the application – which has been recommended for approval – on Monday (July 10).

Planning officer Aimee Williams said in her report: “In terms of the economic benefits, the scheme will generate significant additional local spend both within the holiday park and wider local economy and new employment opportunities.

"Amongst the social benefits, the proposal provides new accommodation for holiday use and the additional spending in the local rural economy is likely to generate direct and indirect jobs in addition to those created during the construction phase."

She added that there were also environmental benefits, all of which together weighed in favour of the proposal.

Ms Williams also said: “Against this, there will be a loss of open grassland and the resultant visual change to this part of the landscape. The proposal would result in some limited and localised harm to the distinctive character and appearance of the landscape. The character and landscape impact is minimised by the close context of the much larger existing holiday park and by a combination of existing and proposed screening.”

There has been some vocal opposition to the scheme locally. The Cornwall councillor for the area, Stephen Rushworth, said he is concerned about potential overlooking of nearby properties and loss of amenity space. St Merryn Parish Council voted to oppose the application, citing the loss of amenity, lack of proven need, greenfield site, insufficient infrastructure and no consideration for affordable housing.

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A number of residents have also made their feelings clear on the planning portal.

Janet Yates-Adams said: “I think it would be an eyesore. It wouldn’t look as open and we would lose the grassy area. The drainage system cannot cope with any more houses. The park is filled with holiday homes as it is.”

Gillian Watts wrote: “Please do not allow them to develop on the last open green space and recreation area. This is where children and pets can play in freedom and safety. Families regularly use this area for picnics and play time. There is no need for more homes on this space. With the continued building of ‘second homes’ the spirit of Cornwall is under enormous pressure as it is. Another 50 units here is beyond comprehension.”

And Joanne Wilson described the recreation ground as a "treasured green space well-used by residents of our community which helps improve our well-being in these difficult times."

A spokesperson for the holiday park said: “St Merryn Holiday Park is an existing thriving holiday destination. We have worked with the local planning authority for the recommended approval, allowing expansion of the existing holiday park for a further 46 new holiday properties and additional site facilities, including recreational areas and swimming pool for all private owners on the holiday park to use.

"We know the importance of the local housing needs of St Merryn and have provided a footpath for an adjoining residential housing scheme for 81 houses, that includes 51% affordable housing, which has been submitted by a separate applicant, providing the ability for the additional residential housing scheme to use facilities and amenities on St Merryn Holiday Park safely.

“We fully support affordable housing schemes and feel our proposed holiday properties within the existing St Merryn Holiday Park help to provide future jobs and sustainable economic growth to the local area, whilst increasing facilities and amenities for existing private owners on the holiday park.”