Newquay Could Lose More Parking Spaces Under Council Plan

A patch of tarmac near the centre of Newquay has become the latest point of friction between the town and Cornwall Council.

Newquay BID is asking residents, businesses and visitors to sign and share a petition opposing Cornwall Council’s proposal to build a care home on Tregunnel Hill car park. The group says the car park is a vital part of the town’s infrastructure, one that helps support local businesses, residents and visitors, and that losing it would pile more strain onto a town already short of spaces.

A parking problem that runs all year

Newquay is already under significant pressure when it comes to parking, and that pressure runs through much of the year rather than only the busy summer season. The BID describes the car park as a vital asset that helps ease congestion and provides space for businesses, tourists and locals.

Newquay BID believes removing the Tregunnel Hill spaces would hit the town hard. “We believe the loss of these parking spaces would have a serious impact on footfall and revenue in the town centre,” the BID said. The group warns of reduced footfall, lost income for traders and worse congestion in an already busy town centre, framing the plan as part of what it calls the overdevelopment of Newquay.

Concerns over consultation

Alongside the parking itself, the group has raised questions about how the plans were handled. “Equally concerning is the lack of meaningful consultation with local businesses and residents before these plans were progressed,” it said.

The appeal came from Mark Warren of Newquay BID, who urged people to spread the word across Facebook and other social media channels. Mark said the campaign was about showing the depth of feeling locally. “Together, we can make sure Cornwall Council understands how important this issue is to Newquay,” he said.

Not against care homes, but against the location

The BID is clear that it is not opposing the care home itself. “We acknowledge the importance of care homes, but there are more feasible options that Cornwall Council ought to consider,” it said.

The group points to sites outside the town centre and derelict buildings that could be repurposed for vulnerable residents without taking parking away from the rest of the community. It also suggests Cornwall Council could use compulsory purchase orders on unused or derelict land as an alternative. The petition itself calls on the council to find a more suitable location and preserve Tregunnel Hill car park.

What happens next

Once it is complete, the petition will be presented directly to Cornwall Council to demonstrate the strength of feeling within the community. Newquay BID says it will be working over the coming weeks to raise awareness of the issue and is calling on local people to get friends, family and businesses involved.

Anyone who wants to add their name can sign the petition on Change.org.