Plans submitted for Hotel Victoria in Newquay

A full planning application has been submitted for the redevelopment of the Hotel Victoria in Newquay.

The proposals include the refurbishment and extension of the main hotel building, alongside the demolition of a number of neighbouring buildings. These include the Griffin Inn, Señor Dick’s Mexican Restaurant, a residential dwelling to the north-west of the hotel, and 1 Cliff Road. In their place, the plans propose the construction of 81 apartments, along with a commercial unit at ground level.

The application has been submitted by Nici Hotels (Newquay) Ltd. They want to carry out a "luxury hotel offer and destination spa" with 90 rooms.

According to the planning documents, the application seeks full permission for the comprehensive regeneration of the Victoria Hotel complex. The proposals include retaining and refurbishing the historic core of the hotel, removing what are described as later unsympathetic additions, and constructing new residential apartment blocks.

The scheme also includes commercial floorspace at ground level, public realm and landscaping improvements, and the replacement of the existing swimming pool with a new pool and spa facility.

The applicant says the design has been developed to respond to the site’s prominent coastal location and historic townscape setting, taking account of both designated and non-designated heritage assets in the area.

Historic building retained

The Hotel Victoria, originally built in 1899, is arranged over five floors including a basement and forms the focal point of the site. While not statutorily listed, the building is recognised by the council, alongside 1 Cliff Road, as a non-designated heritage asset that contributes positively to Newquay’s historic character.

The applicant says the historic core of the hotel will be sensitively restored and brought back into long-term use as a high-quality destination hotel, which it claims will strengthen Newquay’s tourism offer and provide economic benefits to the town.

The plans also include new hotel-related additions designed to respect the existing architecture and improve how the site connects with its surroundings.

Affordable housing 

Concerns were raised at a public engagement event held at the hotel last year, where some councillors questioned the absence of affordable housing within early proposals for the site.

The applicant says the cost of refurbishing and upgrading the historic hotel is so high that requiring affordable housing would make the scheme financially unworkable. The company argues that without being able to proceed on this basis, the regeneration of the hotel would be unlikely to go ahead at all.

The planning statement adds that this approach is allowed for within planning policy in situations where councils cannot demonstrate a five-year supply of housing land, and says a detailed financial assessment can be provided if requested.

Site boundaries

The application also notes that two nearby parcels of land under the developer’s control - Dinard Gardens, which is owned by Newquay Town Council, and Victoria House - are not included within the application boundary. While not part of the scheme, the documents say both have been considered in shaping the overall plans.

The application will now be considered by Cornwall Council as part of the planning process.

You can view and comment on the application here.