Care home plans rejected due to community complaints

The proposed care home would have an extra 14 bedrooms

Plans for a 64-bedroom care home with more than 200 objections have been turned down.

Ward councillor Ian Wilson told Cornwall Council's planning committee the "colossal" development at Hendra Court in Par would impact neighbours, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

Cornwallis Care Services' plan to demolish part of a Grade II-listed, 50-bed care home and build one with 14 extra bedrooms was recommended for approval. The old building would be used for staff offices and accommodation.

Karen Clarke, speaking on behalf of residents, said the care home would be located opposite her house at a height of 12.8 metres - "equivalent to a four-floor block of flats".

She also added that it would be "overbearing".

The council's planning department said it would "provide a significant contribution towards much needed care provision".

Chartered town planner, Chloe Pitt, represented the applicant and told the planning committee on 22 September there was an "undeniable" need for the development.

She said it would help meet demand for 127 additional care beds needed in the area and added that the building's design was readjusted with a maximum height of 12.9 metres, which was "significantly lower" than the 30 metres suggested in some objections.

She said privacy concerns had been addressed by the inclusion of obscure glazing, angled windows and landscaping buffers.

Reform UK councillor Tony Wilson, who represents Fowey, Tywardreath and Par, said residents were opposed to "a massive monolithic structure" that would have "a huge impact on neighbours" and only add 14 extra bedrooms.

Liberal Democrat councillor Joanna Kenny, who represents Newquay Central and Pentire, said the development would be "overbearing", particularly on homes to the east of the site.

Liberal Democrat councillor Steven Webb, who represents Truro Morsek and Trevhaverne, said the current care home and the proposed new building "just don't fit next to each other" and would be out of character with the area.