PLANS to turn a hotel into 39 retirement living apartments in Bude have been refused by Cornwall Council.

Earlier this year, Churchill Retirement Living applied for planning permission to demolish the An Mor Hotel in Bude and replace it with nearly 40 retirement living apartments.

Plans included apartments, communal facilities, car parking and landscaping.

However, this week Cornwall Council has refused the proposal, citing the need for affordable housing and the environmental impact of the development.

Bude-Stratton Town Council’s Planning Committee also expressed their concern following the applications submission.

Cllr Tom O’Sullivan, told the Post: “The Planning Committee shared the concerns raised by local residents and had several key reservations about the proposed development. Alongside the Planning Officer, we noted the lack of affordable housing within the plan and that the site is partly within the Cornwall Coastal Vulnerability Zone, which raises additional concerns.

“We also had reservations about the missed opportunity to re-use existing buildings, which is at odds with Cornwall Council’s Climate Change Development Plan. There were further concerns about overdevelopment, as well as parking and traffic impacts, though these aspects were not deemed grounds for refusal by the Planning Officer.

“Overall, the Planning Committee is pleased with the decision to refuse the application. While developments like this can be appealing, our priority is to address the area’s housing needs, particularly the pressing need for affordable housing.”

When contacted for comment by the Post a spokesperson from Churchill Living said: “Whilst we are disappointed by the Council Planning Committee’s decision, we remain committed to delivering attractive, high quality accommodation for the over 60s in Bude, and we have now submitted a planning appeal.

“We are confident that we have sufficient evidence to address the technical matters on which the council objected. We also believe that a Government Planning Inspector will factor in the critical overall housing need in Bude, as well as the many social and economic benefits a development like this will generate for the town.

“If approved, our plans will generate significant extra spending on the local high street and support several permanent full-time jobs both during and after construction. Giving older people in and around Bude the option to downsize will also help release many larger, second-hand properties back onto the market for local families to move into, also creating opportunities for local first time buyers to get onto the ladder.”