OVER 100 residents opposed to a proposal by Premier Inn to build a 90-room hotel overlooking St Ives packed a planning appeal meeting in the town today (Wednesday, March 19).

The hotel giant is appealing against a decision by Cornwall Council members to refuse its application in April last year.

Those against the Premier Inn plans, which were refused last year, packed an appeal hearing at the Tregenna Castle hotel (Pic: Lee Trewhela / LDRS) ( )

The Tregenna Castle hotel hosted world leaders when the G7 summit met in Cornwall in 2021, but there was heated debate of a more localised nature at the venue today when those both for and against the proposal to replace Cornwallis Nursing Home on Trewidden Road with a Premier Inn put their cases to planning inspector Sylvia Leonard.

Protesters unfurled a banner and held placards outside the hotel before the appeal, bearing such slogans as “Stop the needless monstrosity”, “Save our last remaining care home” and “Stop this corporate carbuncle from ruining St Ives”.

Members of a council planning committee decided last year that if approved the hotel would result in an adverse impact upon the area and skyline due to its height and massing. However, Whitbread, which owns the Premier Inn brand, disagreed and argues that any adverse effect would not be “significant” as required by planning law.

Peter Blackshaw, principal development officer at Cornwall Council, countered that the impact on the view from three points within the town’s conservation area had been “somewhat underplayed” by the hotel group. The areas he says would be affected are the harbour, The Island and The Stennack.

As well as representatives of both Premier Inn and Cornwall Council, speakers included residents of Trinity Watch, which abuts the proposed hotel site, such as Shelley Thornton, who has been one of those driving the campaign to oppose the hotel. Among the concerns they were due to raise included height and massing of the building, increased traffic flow and a lack of parking.

Town councillor Senara Wilson-Hodges was due to speak about environmental issues, while mayor of St Ives Johnnie Wells, chair of the town’s planning committee Kenny Messenger and St Ives councillor Luke Rogers all aired their concerns about various aspects of the plan. St Ives Town Council has long opposed the application, which was originally recommended for approval by Cornwall Council’s planning department.

Others due to speak included Andrew Mitchell, the Cornwall councillor for the area who also opposes the Premier Inn, and Alan Gillam, a St Ives hotelier who was representing other accommodation providers in the town who are concerned about the impact the large hotel would have on their businesses if approved.

Louise Woodruff, property acquisitions manager at Whitbread, said before the appeal hearing: “We have been working on our plans for a Premier Inn Hotel in St Ives since before 2022. Throughout each step, we have adhered to planning policy and worked closely with planning officers to put forward a proposal that we feel is appropriate for the location and would bring long-lasting benefits to the town.

“This involved a significant redesign of the proposed hotel in 2023, taking on board feedback from the local community and planning officers. We were very disappointed that our plans were refused in April 2024, despite being recommended for approval by planning officers. Taking our case to appeal is not a decision we take lightly, and this hearing allows us to address points raised during the planning process in more detail.”

There were boos among the public when Ms Leonard refused to accept late evidence from those against the plans, including illustrations showing the scale and massing in relation to neighbouring properties and a video which opponents say demonstrates existing parking problems in the area, which they believe will only get worse if the hotel is built.

The hearing, much of which discussed planning policy, was due to finish on Wednesday afternoon. The planning inspector was then due to make a site visit to Trewidden Road and  walk around St Ives to gain an idea of how the Premier Inn would look from various points in the town.

The result of the appeal should be revealed in the coming weeks.