A guest house in Newquay which will become a HMO despite local concerns (Image: CornwallLive)
Residents of claim the UK town is set to be “ruined” as guest houses get turned into HMOs (houses of multiple occupany) to deal with Cornwall’s housing crisis. Locals have claimed Newquay is now “saturated” with HMOs, but others argue there is a severe lack of long-term accomodation compared to short-term holiday rentals.
A recent hearing of Cornwall’s Council’s central area planning committee saw residents frankly exchange their views over the conversion of a much-loved guest house into a 7-bed HMO. Kastel Property Solutions Ltd received approval to turn Trewinda Lodge, which is situated near Newquay’s famous Tolcarne beach and Great Western beach, into a multiple occupancy home. However an enraged local resident complained to the committee: “There are already a large number of HMOs in this area in what is a quiet residential neighbourhood. I do not think it is fair to add another one. This is one of the prettiest tree lined roads in Newquay that is about to be ruined.”
Locals have complained over-tourism is a blight on Newquay (Image: Getty)
Others did not share the resident’s view, however, noting the total lack of available properties for young professionals in the area, according to .
One said: “I live within a stone’s throw of Trewinda Lodge and I believe the idea of turning it into a HMO is a brilliant idea. In today’s current climate there is a high demand for affordable housing, especially for young people. This will hopefully help out local Newquay people, keeping them close to the town for jobs, transport links, etc.”
Cllr Joanna Kenny, chair of Newquay Town Council’s planning committee, told the meeting: “We don’t like it but we can’t find any planning reason to object. Eliot Gardens does not have enough street parking to provide for current demand now let alone in the summer.”
Tom Jones, the applicant, told the committee that his own experience struggling to find a home to live in in the area led him to start his business and try and find solutions to the housing crisis.
Don’t miss… [TRAVEL] [TRAVEL] [TRAVEL]
Locals have complained that housing in Newquay is overpriced (Image: Getty)
He said: “It was this experience that led me to the creation of the business I now run. I thought the young people of Cornwall deserved a better choice and standard when choosing accommodation.
“I soon realised it’s not just young people who rely on HMOs for accommodation. This has been exacerbated by the crisis that we’re still living through, with houses prices and rents rising at unprecedented rates.”
Despite the committee hearing that locals “hate” HMOs, the application was approved with seven in favour, with one against and one abstention.