RESIDENTS are continuing to fight plans which would see one of Bude’s hotels demolished and replaced by retirement living apartments after an application was submitted for further properties on the site.

In August, Churchill Living Ltd. submitted an application to Cornwall Council, seeking approval to demolish the existing the An Mor Hotel and redevelop it into 46 retirement living apartments, alongside communal facilities, access, car park and landscaping (PA26/03636).

The bid came a little under a year after planning approval was granted for the construction of 39 retirement living apartments on the site – with the new plans appearing to be a bid to increase the number of apartments on the former hotel site.

After the initial application was met by strong objection from locals - resulting in a public meeting, more than 150 public comments on the application, and a written objection from the town council - locals have launched back into battle in response to the newly submitted adjustment.

A swathe of new objections have been submitted, with residents citing the overbearing nature of the development, the potential strain an influx of older residents could put on the town’s services, and the impact the bigger design could have on the local environment.

Mrs Penny Downey, a resident of Summerleaze Crescent, has said that the development has made it ‘feel like anyone can build anything anywhere in Bude’ regardless of the visual impact.

She commented: “Most of the Edwardian terrace of Summerleaze Crescent will no longer be seen when entering the town, being blocked by the new build. Indeed this terrace can be seen from many points well outside the town and is highly associated with the beauty and history of Bude.

“It is beginning to feel like anyone can build anything anywhere in Bude, including in areas of outstanding natural beauty.”

She has also criticised the introduction of balconies, arguing that this may affect the privacy of other residents.

She continued: “The intrusion of now adding balconies to the building will undoubtedly affect all those living nearby to the proposed apartments, and our privacy has not been taken into account.

“The idea that three apartments share one car parking space is ludicrous, the lack of parking for residents is raised as an issue by residents of other Churchill properties on social media online. This unsatisfied demand will spill out onto the local streets which already cannot cope with the number of local residents and tourists to Bude.”

Others have pinpointed potential issues caused by a rise in the town’s elderly population.

Mr Gary Davis commented: “By expanding the size of the building to accommodate more residents significant pressure will be applied to local health and associated resources.

“Churchill residences have an average age range of 79 to 86 years. This is the demographic that places the most demand on local health and social services, so the impact of any increase in numbers is wholly disproportionate when compared to the general population.”

Mr Davis also highlights that there is a chance that these residents move to the town from other areas

“This is added to the fact that the residents are likely to be 'imported' from other locations, thereby placing a huge demand on services,” he continued. “Effectively between 78 and 92 aged individuals, all in the final years of their lives, all requiring significant support from the NHS, care workers and social services added to the existing community.

“This will reduce the effectiveness of services for all in the community.”

However, for many, the issues remain the same as they did a year ago, though now, the impact could be even greater with introduction of more residents.

Mr Nicholas Coley argues that the development’s plans for vehicle access to the site continue to mislead.

He says: “The application repeatedly states that vehicle access to the proposed car park will be achieved from the existing access off Summerleaze Crescent. This is factually incorrect. The existing access is via the exit road from the Summerleaze Beach car park. Due to the one¿way system, vehicles would be required to drive through the public car park and then up the exit road.

“In peak summer months this route is congested, unsafe, and not a workable access arrangement for a care home development. The application fails to acknowledge or address this operational reality and the associated highway safety and amenity impacts.

“The proposal states that there will be no vehicular access or parking via Hartland Terrace, other than for fire appliances. As a resident, this restriction is welcome in principle, but the application provides no detail on how it will be secured, managed or enforced. There is no reference to signage, road markings, or legal rights of access. Ownership issues may restrict the development's rights both during construction and once operational. Without enforceable measures, the stated restriction is aspirational rather than guaranteed.”

With 100 per cent of public comments objecting to the plans, many residents will be hoping that Cornwall Council rejects the broadened application.