A popular Porth hotel has unveiled its expansion plans to ensure the business is economically sustainable.

Porth Veor Manor Hotel & Restaurant in Porth Way has submitted plans to build four holiday villas within the grounds of the site.

The one bedroomed properties would be constructed in a staggered terrace.

Lavigne Lonsdale, on behalf of applicant Travelsmiths Investments Ltd, stated in the planning document: “The original manor house, set in almost two acres and built in 1879, was converted to a hotel in the 1920’s.

“The hotel now has 19 rooms of various sizes along with 13 villas and four apartments situated within its terraced landscaped grounds. Porth’s main economic activity is tourism.

“The addition of four holiday villas within their grounds are required to ensure the economic sustainability of the business, which, along with tourism in general has been particularly hard hit by the Covid pandemic.

“The proposal is to construct four staggered terraced single storey, one bedroom villas on a part of the site which is currently disused and underutilised due to its location and gradient.

“These are all to be highly energy efficient EPC ‘A’ rated. Each 50.5m² (GIA) villa to be located in the existing overgrown and sloping area to the east of the hotel and directly in front, nine metres away from the three existing north facing villas.

“The lawned plateau to the north is to remain unchanged.

“The scale and massing of the proposed is in keeping with the local vernacular of the area. Its portico, besides providing a covered entrance to each villa also helps layer the façade, elegantly detailed to reflect confidence and quality.

“These are to be masonry constructed with white rendered walls, galvanised steel (marine grade) columns and handrails and Cedar cladding set on a Cornish stone plinth.

“The roof to be constructed with exposed timber members, zinc and sedum finished.

“The surrounding area will be soft landscaped, utilising native species plants, to ensure the existing soft edge remains.

“The proposed villas integrate seamlessly into the existing infrastructure and landscape of the site, they do not overshadow, overlook or reduce neighbour privacy.

“The material palette reflecting Cornish vernacular architecture, the local area and its landscape.

“The proposed new villas utilise a largely unused area and have a minimal impact upon the existing site. They nestle seamlessly into the existing landscape, can’t be visibly seen from the majority of the surrounding area and have no overlooking or privacy effect on the surrounding neighbours.

“The existing large lawn area to the side of the villas will be largely preserved, keeping the positive contribution it already makes to the surrounding character of the area.

“Therefore, we believe the proposal positively addresses and reflects the objectives of Cornwall’s Local plan, in providing a sustainable addition within an existing site and infrastructure.

“As the proposed villas can be self-catering, there is the opportunity for Porth Veor Hotel to extend their season by making the villas available throughout the year.”