St Ives hotel to go ahead in blow for campaigners

A LAST ditch attempt by campaigners to stop a Premier Inn being built overlooking St Ives has failed. Residents representing hundreds of people who have opposed the plan to build a 90-room hotel overlooking the seaside town took their battle to Parliament last month.

- LEE TREWHELA Local Democracy Reporter

They presented letters to officials asking Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner to reverse a decision made by a Government planning inspector to allow the proposal by Premier Inn's owner Whitbread, after a Cornwall Council planning committee originally refused the plan last year. They have now heard the news that the hotel will go ahead.

It will mean the demolition of St Ives' last remaining care home to make way for the hotel, which has been shunned locally due to its size, location and visual impact.

In a letter sent to Shelley Thornton, on behalf of the opposition group, and Ken Messenger, chairman of St Ives Town Council's planning committee, the decision is outlined by a Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government (MHCLG) official on behalf of the Deputy Prime Minister.