‘Hideous’ hotel and apartments planned for Newquay compared to huge Hilton complex in Florida

A major scheme to regenerate Newquay’s clifftop road, Narrowcliff, has been described as “hideous” and a “monstrosity” by locals. The £100m project from developers Salboy was initially pitched to the local community as an opportunity “to help kick-start regeneration and wider investment” in the town.

The proposal would see the Narrowcliff Hotel, the Bristol Hotel and two residential properties demolished and replaced with a 77-bedroom four-to-five-star hotel, a new high-end rooftop restaurant, five commercial units and up to 170 new apartments . CGI renderings of the proposed buildings suggest the development would be 14 stories tall at the tallest. But since the plans were unveiled last week, dozens of residents have opposed them.

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Following a public consultation meeting, the people of Newquay created a public Facebook group, called ‘Stop the 14-storey development on Narrowcliff’, to oppose the development. It gained over 1,000 members within days.

Several concerns were shared, particularly regarding the scale and design of the program. The buildings have been compared to the huge Hilton Daytona Beach Oceanfront Resort in Florida and tall buildings in Benidorm.

Bob Hayes wrote: “I’m absolutely horrified by this. It’s so incompatible with our town and I’m afraid if they get away with it the place will look like Benidorm before you can look around.”

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Chris Kernow commented: “I can’t find words to describe my feelings. One comes to mind in disgust. Who lets this happen, someone will say this is progress. At what cost. Its coastline and beaches will remain but the heart and soul of Newquay has been and is being destroyed.”

Karina Barnes added: “This monstrosity will block much of the precious evening sun on many streets behind it. Not to mention shade the beach even longer in the morning.”

Ruby Pink commented, “It’s hideous, overbearing, and these developments are usually badly done quickly for instant profit and will age badly.”

Opponents questioned the decision to demolish the Bristol Hotel instead of improving the existing building. They raised concerns about potential damage to the cliff and the type of people who will be able to afford the new apartments.

Keith Tombs commented: “Nowhere is it mentioned that these apartments will not be used for holiday homes/second homes or rented out at excessive rates.”

Salboy previously said there would be a commitment excluding rentals through Airbnb and that his plans would include affordable social housing. CornwallLive has contacted the company for further comment.

What does the Narrowcliff regeneration program include?

If the plans go through, the area including the Bristol Hotel, two neighboring residential properties, the Narrowcliff Hotel, the current medical center and a rear car park will be demolished. It would be replaced by a new four to five star hotel with 75 or 80 rooms and up to 170 apartments.

The plans also include affordable social housing at the site of the current surgery as well as at the hotel site. The hotel would have a swimming pool, sauna and steam room, a 56-seat cinema and an upscale restaurant. It would employ the current staff of the Hotel Bristol.

There would also be several parking lots for residents and visitors and commercial units, including Wagamama, Nando’s and Five Guys talks if Salboy’s conversations with the chains are successful. You can read more about it here.

So far, one request for an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) pre-notice has been submitted to Cornwall Council. This means developers want the local authority to indicate whether an EIA is required as part of the future planning application.

It reads as follows: ‘At this time the exact quantum of development is not yet defined, but under the above application the program will likely include up to 170 residential apartments, up to to a 75 bed hotel, retail (including food and non-food), public realm and landscaping along a site comprising the Bristol Hotel and Narrowcliff Surgery, Narrowcliff, Newquay. council’s opinion on whether or not an EIA is necessary.