People in Newquay say cliff top building could put lives at risk

Newquay Town Council wants new planning restrictions limiting building close to the cliff edge. Credit: ITV West Country

People in Newquay say cliff top building developments could put lives at risk.

The Newquay Central Residents Association say regular rock falls have shown the cliffs are unstable.

Newquay Town Council wants to bring in new planning restrictions that would limit building close to the cliff edge.

Plans to replace a former hotel with seven houses, nine apartments and a bungalow have caused concern amongst neighbours.

The Trebarwith Hotel building sits on a plot right on the cliff edge above one of Newquay's most popular beaches.

Resident Anne Maria Kavanagh Atkins says the cliffs are "so unstable".

"We've had quite a few rockfalls in this area this year, one as early as July end of July and two little children could have got killed easily luckily they had the sense when they heard the noise to run and we have to highlight the fact to not allow these developers to build on the cliffs.''

''I'm not against evolution of the town I'm not against building and modernisation of the town I'm just fearful of the beautiful coastline that we've got and the volatile dangerous coastline that we've got and it is coming to a point where the cliff falls are going to injure someone.''

In a statement on behalf of the developer Trebarwith Hotel 52 Ltd, an architectural consultant told ITV West Country:

''A coastal stability assessment confirmed that whilst the top of the cliff is experiencing some coastal erosion, the building will be beyond a predicted 100 year maximum erosion line. cliff stabilisation measures are to be incorporated which will be a significant improvement to public safety.''

Trebarwith Hotel developers say they will add Credit: ITV West Country

The town council, Cornwall Council and Newquay's MP seem united in supporting the cause.

Newquay Town Council says Credit: ITV West Country

The Trebarwith application has not gone before planners yet. In future building on the cliff edge could be more difficult.

The Town council is working on a neighbourhood plan that would bring in tighter restrictions to prevent developments close to the coastline.

Cliff falls can be seriously dangerous for people on the beach. Credit: ITV West Country

MP Steve Double has written to Cornwall Council to express his concerns.

The planning restrictions are unlikely to brought in until next spring.

In the meantime a flurry of applications for cliff top builds have come in and may have to be decided on sooner.

  • Watch ITV West Country's Kathy Wardle's news report below: