A WOMAN being temporarily housed at a Newquay hotel by Cornwall Council has accused the authority of providing a lack of support for vulnerable people it places there following a number of deaths.

The person, who wishes to remain anonymous for fear of eviction, alleged people with severe disabilities and mental health issues being housed at the Sandy Lodge Hotel in Hilgrove Road are not getting the care they need.

They have also accused Cornwall Council of not properly vetting those they house there — alleging people with mental health issues and severe disabilities along with women fleeing domestic violence are mixed in with people with drink and drug problems.

Devon and Cornwall Police say there have been five deaths at the Sandy Lodge Hotel in recent months. Cornwall Council has confirmed three people who they placed there have died.

Cornwall Council, which has a statutory duty to provide accommodation to people who find themselves homeless where they meet certain criteria, states it carries out a risk assessment to consider its suitability for the individual and “broader social considerations.”

It also stated it works closely with providers to manage any issues that may arise once someone has been placed.

But the person who has raised the alarm about the amount of people who have died at the Sandy Lodge Hotel in recent months has accused the council of “dumping” homeless people there.

They said: “There’s been [a number of] deaths at the Sandy Lodge in the past six months.

“The council is moving vulnerable people in here without a care package. Some have bad disabilities, and they need care. They have not got a care worker or a mental health worker. Nothing.

“The council has a duty of care, and they should not be putting these vulnerable people in with dysfunctional people.

“Some of those who are moved in have learning disabilities, and they need proper care. They need to be in a care home not a place like this. There are people with learning disabilities in here. One said the other day ‘when do they cook the food’.

“How can the council treat people like that?

“The other side of the coin is that the council is putting in women who have suffered domestic violence in with men who have alcohol problems. How is that going to work?

“The council is not vetting people who they are accommodating at the Sandy Lodge. They are just dumping them wherever they can. The council needs to vet these people. It’s common sense really.

“There are families here with young children. It is not the environment for that.

“There is a housing officer that turns up here every so often but there is no other care.”

Cornwall Council admitted that many of the homeless people they find accommodation for are in poor physical and mental health.

A spokesperson said: “The council has a statutory duty to provide accommodation to people who find themselves homeless where they meet certain criteria. Many of the people we accommodate are in poor health – both physical and mental - or have experienced trauma.

“Before making a placement, we will carry out a risk assessment and consider its suitability, both in terms of the individual household, and broader social considerations. We also work closely with providers to manage any issues that may arise once someone has been placed.

“Cornwall Council is aware of three deaths at Sandy Lodge in recent months. In some cases, following a death, there will be a police investigation and possibly a coroner’s inquest, with which we would fully cooperate.”

Peter Butterly, who owns the Sandy Lodge Hotel, believes the council is doing the best job it can with the limited resources it is provided by the government.

He said: “I do not know what care the council gives them.

“As far as the council’s duty of care I think they do the best they can with the resources they have. If the government gave them more money, then they could do more.

“I’m sure the council would do more if the government gave more money.

“I think the council does a fantastic job with the limited budget they have.

“Years ago, there was St Lawrence’s mental hospital in Bodmin to give people the care and attention they need but that’s gone now.

“The council has got a hard job accommodating these people who have been put out.

“These are not just people with drink problems. Property owners get more money doing Airbnb than having someone stay there.

“They put them out in the summer because they can get more money. They are entitled to do that, but these poor people are made homeless.”

His son Peter Butterly Jr, who helps manage the hotel, added: “Council workers from different departments are in and out of the hotel every day.

“Everyone has an appointed worker who they see once a week.

“I would say the council is doing as good a job as they can. They are working really hard.

“I understand resources are stretched and the council are looking after people the best they can.”

Devon and Cornwall Police confirmed there have been five deaths at the sandy Lodge Hotel in recent months, which are not being treated as suspicious.

A police spokesperson said: “Police were called by the ambulance service at 10.30am on Tuesday, December 17 2024, following concern for the welfare of a woman at an address on Hilgrove Road, Newquay.

“The woman in her forties was pronounced deceased at the scene.

“Police were called at 11.30am on Thursday, December 26, 2024, following concern for the welfare of a man at an address on Hilgrove Road, Newquay.

The man in his fifties was pronounced deceased at the scene.

“Police were called by the ambulance service at 9.40am on Monday, February 10 following concern for the welfare of a woman at an address on Hilgrove Road, Newquay.

“The woman in her fifties was pronounced deceased at the scene.

“Police were called by the ambulance service at 9am on Monday, March 10 following concern for the welfare of a man at an address on Hilgrove Road, Newquay.

“The man in his sixties was pronounced deceased at the scene.

“The deaths are being treated as separate incidents and are not being treated as suspicious, with files being prepared for the coroner.

“Next of kin were informed in each case.”