Town councillors in Newquay are calling for a judicial review to take place if plans to redevelop the Narrowcliff are approved behind closed doors. 

The town council’s planning committee has endorsed a recommendation for the council to instigate court proceedings to review the lawfulness of the decision-making process if the proposal to build 143 new homes is given the green light by Cornwall Council under delegated authority. 

Town councillors would like to see Cornwall Council’s central planning sub-committee making the decision on the plans. They say more than 700 people have opposed the plans over the years and a planning meeting would give the public an opportunity to air their views. 

The proposal involves building three large separate buildings on the site of the Hotel Bristol, Narrowcliff Hotel and Narrowcliff Surgery. 

People have opposed the plans as they fear the scheme would dwarf the surrounding area. 

Residents, the town council and the Cornish Buildings Group at Risk Project also object to the Hotel Bristol being knocked down to make way for the scheme.  

They argue that although the Edwardian era hotel is not grade II listed it should be preserved because of its local importance as one of only five historic hotels still standing in Newquay. 

Joanna Kenny, chair of the town’s planning committee, says the scheme goes against the Newquay Neighbourhood Plan, which was drawn up to help protect the community. 

But Newquay Central Cornwall Councillor Louis Gardner has decided against calling in the planning application so that it could be decided by the planning sub-committee. 

He argues the plan meets all the necessary criteria including the designated height for the Narrowcliff as the building would be four storeys plus one. 

He states the development would offer the required affordable housing but “most importantly” would facilitate and also help to pay for a new doctor’s surgery. Cllr Gardner argues the neighbourhood plan is no longer fit for purpose and needs updating. 

An extraordinary town council meeting could be called next month to discuss whether the council should go for a judicial review. 

Cllr Kenny said: “I find it almost unbelievable that it has come to this. There is still an opportunity for Cornwall Council to see sense.”