There are fears Newquay will suffer following the approval of plans to house homeless people in a town car park.

Cornwall Councillors have approved plans to install 18 SoloHaus modular homes on part of Tregunnel Hill car park to provide for vulnerable residents, some of whom will be recovering from drink and drug addictions.

Residents fear they could suffer from crime and

anti-social behaviour if the scheme is not managed properly.

Cornwall Council has already agreed to install a two-and-a-half metre climb-proof fence between the SoloHaus scheme and the Duchy of Cornwall housing scheme as well as to install CCTV.

Residents also fear the loss of nearly 100 car parking spaces will worsen traffic congestion in Newquay during the summer months and exacerbate parking problems on residential streets.

Town councillor Joanna Kenny said the members of Cornwall Council’s central-sub area planning committee had failed to take into consideration the Newquay neighbourhood plan policy, which protects the visitor economy. She believes the loss of car parking spaces will result in businesses losing at least a quarter of a million pounds a year.

Monique Collins, the chairman of DISC Newquay, who works with people with drink, drug and mental issues in the town, opposed the plans as she believes the scheme will “end in tears”.

She stated she would not back the development unless it was for working individuals.

Newquay’s police chief Guy Blackford also raised concerns that his officers may not be able to maintain social order if the council creates the homes for vulnerable residents.

He said a further concern, from experience, is that the site might start as only accepting one level of risk for people overcoming drink and drug issues but as time goes on the policy changes and higher risk level individuals are then housed.

Mavis Warman, the former chairman of Newquay Chamber of Commerce and Tourism, said: “It appears that everything is going ahead, despite all the objections.

“I believe that the lack of housebuilding by Cornwall Council, over the years,  has contributed to the problems that many people face today.

“I hope all the people who have been doing their best to fight this appalling decision, will find a way to reverse the decision.

“I do know that during my years as chair of Newquay Chamber of Commerce and Tourism in the 1990s, that Cornwall Council have tried, on numerous occasions, to take over the Tregunnel car park, for housing.

“We always managed to prove, by a retail census, that the car park was essential for the prosperity of Newquay’s retail trade in the summer.”

The site will be managed by Cornwall Housing. Each tenant will receive help to find a regular source of income and a more permanent home.  

Newquay Trenance Cornwall Councillor Olly Monk, the Cornwall Cabinet portfolioholder for housing and planning, said:  “We all need and deserve somewhere to live and call home.

“The lack of affordable accommodation is affecting all types of households, including working families, couples and single people.

“Many people are struggling to find somewhere to live, with a sharp increase in the number of single people sleeping rough or in their cars and vans.

“These modular SoloHaus homes provide excellent quality accommodation for single people who would otherwise be homeless. 

“They also provide excellent value for money which means that we have a stock of good quality homes that people can live in for a short period on dedicated sites whilst they get the help they need to secure a permanent home. 

“By delivering these homes, we are helping residents live nearer to where they want and need to be, with the security of knowing the home is theirs until a permanent home can be found.”