Residents have sought assurances their lives will not be detrimentally impacted from a housing scheme being built at a Newquay car park for homeless people.

People have raised concerns about Cornwall Council’s 18 modular homes being constructed at Tregunnel Hill car park following a resident highlighting her “living hell” living in a similar scheme at Rosewarne long stay car park in Camborne.

The Voice recently reported Julie, who did not want to give her surname for fear of reprisals, describing the emergency accommodation turning into 11 months of living in a "prison camp" surrounded by noise and anti-social behaviour from other residents, many of whom are former rough sleepers with addiction issues.

Some of the incidents she filmed on her phone from her cabin included constant loud music, shouting and swearing in the early hours, and even a resident boasting about stabbing people. 

But Newquay Trenance Cornwall councillor Olly Monk, the Cabinet member for planning and housing, claims the schemes in Camborne and at Tregunnel Hill will be completely different.

The Camborne scheme is to house emergency homeless on a short-term license whilst they receive intense support. 

The pods at Tregunnel Hill will be stage two housing for people that have had some help and support to ‘move-on’ to a more sustainable housing solution. 

But as the new pods are being craned into place at Tregunnel Hill many residents that live surrounding the car park have been left not knowing what to expect.

Cornwall Council initially stated the Tregunnel Hill scheme would be for people recovering from drink and drug addictions but Cllr Monk claims it will be for homeless people such as veterans and those who have been evicted by landlords wishing to sell their properties.

One resident has now written to Cllr Monk and Linda Taylor, the Leader of Cornwall Council, to ask how the unitary authority is going to ensure the Tregunnel Hill scheme does not descend into a “ghetto” over its lifespan.

The resident said: “How are you going to ensure the site of pods that are being installed into Tregunnel Hill car park, Newquay, doesn’t develop into a dangerous, violent, drug fuelled “living hell“ for those living there and local residents adjacent to the site? 

“This is as described by the poor woman’s account of another of Cornwall Council’s pod sites.

“Can you give us local residents reassurance that if this cannot be done, over a trial period of time, for example three months, then a conclusion that this is not a suitable location for such a site can be reached.

“I have two small children and they should not be subject to a constant drug fuelled fog emanating from this site into their bedroom window on a daily basis as worryingly recalled by the woman in the article. 

“They also should not have to dodge drug dealers hanging around the entrance of the car park when walking home from school. 

“We all know there is a housing crisis, money would be wiser spent on proper buildings, such as, old hotels like the Beresford in Newquay being bought and refurbished to fit such a purpose.”

Cllr Monk said: “The units in Camborne being referred to are a part of a high support scheme that looks after vulnerable people who can have various issues. 

“The scheme and the residents who will use it at Tregunnel is completely different to the scheme in Camborne.

“The Tregunnel Scheme is for 18 units and the residents who will use it are people who have become homeless.

“This will include ex veterans, people who have been evicted by landlords wishing to sell up etc. Cornwall Council has a strict allocation policy for the Modular Schemes such as the one at Tregunnel Hill to ensure that the tenants who will live there are suited to the area.

“We have over 100 people from Newquay who are living in Premier Inn/B&B accommodation who often have to move at short notice.

“These units will provide accommodation for those people as they look to find more settled long-term accommodation. 

“We have to look after our own residents who find themselves homeless.

“Most people agree, but some will always go on to say “Yes but not here.”

“Also included in this scheme will be work to ensure that the remaining main part of the car park is better protected against the seasonal arrival of visitors whose behaviour has blighted the area for years. 

“These extra measures will include height restrictive barriers on the right-hand side of the car park as you look down from the top, which will prevent caravans from being able to be parked up against the houses on Stret Constantine.

“A CCTV camera at the entrance to the car park is also planned.

“I believe that once the work to the modular units and carpark is complete the whole area will become safer, quieter and much less prone to our seasonal visitors which has consistently caused major issues for many years.”