Member Article

Rare Cornish coastal site for sale with approval for residential and commercial development

A former Ministry of Defence (MoD) camp on the coast in Cornwall has been granted approval for residential and commercial development, after lying vacant for almost a decade.

Cornwall Council has granted planning permission for the development of up to 134 homes, including 20 percent affordable housing, 1,500 sqm of commercial buildings and around three hectares of public open space at the site adjacent to Hoblyn’s Cove near Holywell Bay. Careful consideration has been given to allow for plenty of open grassland and amenity space within the 16 hectare (39.53 acre) coastal site.

National property consultancy Bruton Knowles is marketing the property for sale by informal tender via its specialist land development team. With a depth of experience negotiating the sale of unique and large-scale developments of this nature, Bruton Knowles is already fielding enquiries from a number of interested parties.

Bruton Knowles Associate Harry Breakwell said, “It’s rare that a site of this nature and location comes to market with planning approval for coastal development. We see this as an opportunity to transform a vacant brownfield site into a real asset to, not only the future residents of the site, but to the wider community.”

The proposed development contains contributions that will benefit the local community, including £885,000 towards infrastructure, education and public open space, in addition to an off-site affordable housing provision of £1.14m. A Strategic Access Management and Monitoring (SAMM) plan has been agreed to mitigate any potential impacts on the surrounding environment. An existing farmhouse, finished with natural stone, is to be retained and converted into two-character dwellings.

“The cleverly designed scheme comprises 2 to 4-bedroom dwellings with large open areas for the public to enjoy overlooking Holywell Bay. The site is conveniently located between the popular tourist towns of Newquay, to the north, and Perranporth to the south, with local amenities in the nearby village of Holywell Bay and further facilities to include a school, shop and pub in the neighbouring village of Cubert,” Harry said.

Consent for the proposed development was granted to the current owners, Comparo, this year following a period of public consultation.

For the past eight years, since the MoD deemed it surplus to requirements, Penhale Camp has lay dormant - a stark contrast to its prior use as a 24-hour training and recuperation facility for up to 700 soldiers at a time. The abandoned Nissen huts, concrete-block huts and ancillary buildings will be removed to make way for the new development.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Maryke Penman .