A bid by a rural holiday park to create a new bar and bistro in an old toilet block has gone down the pan after residents and councillors said it would cause harm to a neighbouring hamlet. Acorn Parks Ltd applied to create the venue for guests of Meadow Lakes at Hewas Water, between Truro and St Austell.
The proposal was recommended for approval by Cornwall Council’s planning department which said the site is not within a designated landscape and not at risk of flooding. A planning officer said he did not have any concerns about noise and other impacts if the bar / bistro was approved as it would be suitably managed and would close at 10.30pm.
However, local councillor Michael Bunney called it before the council’s central area planning committee due to concerns raised by residents and both parish councils in the area, Grampound with Creed and St Ewe. He said it would be inappropriate in a very sensitive rural setting.
Cllr Bunney added he had no objection to a new bar/bistro at the park but did object to the specific location, directly opposite residents of the hamlet of Luney Barton and cited harm to the rural setting of the Luney Valley. “The urbanising of a bar / bistro in this exact location would add to noise, disturbance and visual impact,” he said.
If approved, the venue would have seating for 25 inside and 24 on decking outside at a site 270 metres from nearby homes in the hamlet.
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Rob McGuinness, representing Grampound with Creed Parish Council, said the development would be unneighbourly: “Whilst we’re not against the proposal for a social hub on this site, we feel this is an entirely inappropriate location sitauted so close to the historic hamlet of Luney Barton when it appears there are far less intrusive locations available.”
He said chalets dominate the horizon from Luney Barton and that people, cars and light from the site impact the hamlet. “The bar will inevitably increase the disturbance.”
The meeting heard that there has been a holiday park at the location for over 50 years. Acorn Parks bought it 15 years ago and it now includes caravans, lodges and cottages as well as privately-owned static caravans and lodges.
The company’s managing director Rachel Nation, said: “Our park is quiet and that is what the emphasis would be for this small bar and bistro for low-key drinks and snacks.” She stressed it would close at 10.30pm and the park itself has a 11pm curfew which is monitored by on-site staff.
Cllr John Thomas recommended refusal on the grounds of harm to the nearby hamlet, which was seconded by Cllr John Fitter. The vote was won with seven in favour of refusal and one against.
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