Town 'saturated' with multi-occupation homes fear

Concerns have been raised about a town becoming "saturated" with houses being converted into houses in multiple occupation after a proposal to change a guest house into a seven-bed rental space was approved.

Several neighbours objected to the plan in Eliot Gardens, Newquay, fearing a loss of on-street parking and disruption to the peaceful tree-lined street, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

Other people responded in favour, commenting that shared accommodation was desperately needed for young professionals who were struggling to find places to live.

The application for Trewninda Lodge was approved by the central area planning committee, with seven votes in favour, one against and one abstention.

The proposal was brought before the committee by councillor Louis Gardner who had a number of objections.

One neighbour wrote on the council's planning portal: "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."

However, another resident wrote: "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."

Joanna Kenny, chair of Newquay Town Council's planning committee, said comments online showed "immediate neighbours clearly hate the idea of a HMO but they are balanced by people desperate for this type of accommodation, who may not be local".

The applicant, Tom Jones, from Illogan, told the committee he struggled to find somewhere to live when he returned to Cornwall.

He said: "I soon realised it's not just young people who rely on HMOs for accommodation. This has been exacerbated by the cost of living crisis that we're still living through, with houses prices and rents rising at unprecedented rates."

He added there were 77 Airbnb properties on nearby streets, but only two units for long-term accommodation.

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