Newquay & St Columb area local news

Big cats and Newquay Zoo reach the end of the lion

By Rashleigh MacFarlane Three African lions – Boss, Semira and Amahle – are to leave Newquay Zoo to a new enclosure at Paignton. The animals are nine-year-old siblings, born...

Rashleigh MacFarlane
24th November 2021
1 comment

How your taxes make the train take the strain: Cornwall Council pays airline so that you can soon fly to London for less £35

By Rashleigh MacFarlane Cornwall Council’s subsidy to airline Eastern Airways will offer passengers the chance to fly to London for only half the price of a train ticket. Tickets...

Rashleigh MacFarlane
23rd November 2021
1 comment

Subsidised flights to London are “vital” says Cornwall Council’s transport chief

By Peter Tremayne The government has provided more details of how taxpayers will be required to subsidise cheap flights between Newquay and London from next month. County Hall’s transport...

Peter Tremayne
22nd November 2021
3 comments

Cheap flights or climate catastrophe? Cornwall councillors could be forced to make a choice

By Rashleigh MacFarlane The prospect of cheap flights between Newquay and Gatwick, subsidised by taxpayers, might yet be thwarted if enough Cornwall councillors decide that climate concerns are more...

Rashleigh MacFarlane
17th November 2021
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Cornwall Council finally confirms that it will pay Eastern Airways to offer cheap flights to London, starting next month

By Peter Tremayne Cornwall Council has finally confirmed that it is going ahead with a £5 million taxpayer subsidy to provide cheap flights between Newquay and London Gatwick. Eastern...

Peter Tremayne
14th November 2021
3 comments

EXCLUSIVE: £5 million for flights to London but nothing for leisure centres – Cornwall Council can expect political turbulence as taxpayers are asked to fund near-empty aircraft

By Peter Tremayne County Hall is buzzing with rumours that a new taxpayer subsidy is about to be announced for flights between Newquay and London. Cornwall Council leader Linda...

Peter Tremayne
9th November 2021
1 comment

Taxpayers will save £5 million if there is no subsidy for flights from Newquay to London

By Peter Tremayne It looks increasingly likely that no Public Service Obligation (PSO) subsidised passenger aircraft will fly from Newquay to London this winter. The published deadline for the...

theboss
7th November 2021
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Branson starts the countdown for another rocket launch – meanwhile Cornwall’s satellite will be ready “dreckly”

By Peter Tremayne A date has been pencilled in for what will be Richard Branson’s third satellite launch, if it is successful. The tycoon’s LauncherOne rocket is now due...

Peter Tremayne
1st November 2021
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Countdown to the budget: what it could mean for Cornwall

By Julia Penhaligon This lunchtime’s (Wednesday’s) budget statement is expected to shed some light on Cornwall Council’s bid for more devolved powers, as well as news about the future...

Julia Penhaligon
27th October 2021
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Newquay Airport boss quits

By Peter Tremayne The boss of Newquay Airport has resigned. Pete Downes announced his departure on social media. He had been in the job for only 18 months. Mr...

theboss
27th October 2021
0 comment

On Wednesday evening, five of Cornwall’s MPs voted to allow South West Water to dump raw sewage into the sea. One of them explains why.

By Rashleigh MacFarlane One of Cornwall’s MPs has been trying to explain why he voted to allow South West Water to continue dumping raw sewage into the sea. On...

Rashleigh MacFarlane
24th October 2021
4 comments

Is anybody really missing regular flights from Newquay to London? Another deadline comes and goes as talks continue about taxpayer subsidy

By Peter Tremayne Subsidised flights between Newquay and London will not resume before 31st October, contrary to promises made last month. Cornwall Council has now told the BBC it...

Peter Tremayne
21st October 2021
2 comments

EXCLUSIVE: who is building Cornwall’s Kernow Sat? The plot thickens…

By Peter Tremayne Mystery still surrounds the progress of Cornwall’s much-hyped “Kernow Sat” satellite, due to blast off from Newquay in only eight months. The satellite appears to have...

Peter Tremayne
18th October 2021
1 comment

Newquay Airport lost £3.4 million last year, as revenues plunged 69% because of Covid

By Peter Tremayne Newquay Airport made an operating loss of £3.4 million last year, as revenues plunged 69.2% because of Covid restrictions. Cornwall Council, which owns the airport, has...

Peter Tremayne
16th October 2021
3 comments

No more flights from Newquay – London until the end of October at the earliest

By Peter Tremayne The last passenger aircraft to take off from Newquay to London is due to depart shortly after 7pm this evening (Tuesday) leaving a gap in service...

Peter Tremayne
28th September 2021
1 comment

Branson has still not signed a contract to launch any satellites from Newquay, as clock counts down to first launch in 9 months

By Peter Tremayne Richard Branson has still not signed any contract to operate from the Newquay spaceport, councillors heard yesterday (Thursday.) Spaceport bosses told the Newquay Airport consultative forum...

Peter Tremayne
24th September 2021
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Winter flights from Newquay to London should “resume as soon as possible,” says airport boss

By Peter Tremayne Flights from Newquay to London look set to end next week – but could resume four weeks later, councillors heard yesterday (Thursday.) Newquay Airport manager Pete...

Peter Tremayne
24th September 2021
1 comment

Promotion for St Austell and Newquay MP Steve Double in this week’s government reshuffle

By Julia Penhaligon St Austell and Newquay MP Steve Double has been promoted in the latest government reshuffle. He becomes an Assistant Whip, an unpaid post, and joins North...

Julia Penhaligon
18th September 2021
0 comment

Announcement on Newquay-London flights subsidy “within days”

By Peter Tremayne A new “Public Service Obligation” taxpayer subsidy to fly commercial passenger aircraft between Newquay and London could be announced within days, the St Austell and Newquay...

Peter Tremayne
18th September 2021
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Only 9 months to go before Branson launches his rocket from Newquay, promises spaceport boss

By Peter Tremayne A countdown, of sorts, is underway at Newquay “spaceport” in anticipation of the first satellite launch. For the first time, a “launch window” has been set...

Peter Tremayne
16th September 2021
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UK Space Agency rules out a move to Cornwall, as Boris Johnson’s Kernow Sat project is yet to progress from the think tank

By Graham Smith The UK Space Agency has confirmed that it has no plans to relocate to Cornwall. The idea was floated by St Austell and Newquay MP Steve...

theboss
14th September 2021
0 comment

Talks “are continuing” over taxpayer subsidy for Newquay-London flights

By Peter Tremayne Cornwall Council officials are in a race against time to save the air link between Newquay airport and London. Unless a deal is done within the...

Peter Tremayne
13th September 2021
0 comment

Covid-19: Cornwall’s “enhanced” status will see door-to-door campaign urging vaccination

By Anne North Cornwall is set to be blitzed with Covid information next week, including a door-to-door campaign urging everyone over the age of 16 to get vaccinated. Cornwall...

Anne North
11th September 2021
0 comment

Our new cycle hub vision is bigger and better than the original, and that is why it is now twice as expensive, says Cornwall Council

By Peter Tremayne Cornwall Council has explained why its proposed “cycle hub” at Newquay has doubled in price in only 12 months. County Hall says the latest vision is...

Peter Tremayne
9th September 2021
1 comment

EXCLUSIVE: Time is running out for any taxpayer-bailout to keep aircraft flying between Newquay and London

By Peter Tremayne Time is running out for the government and Cornwall Council to agree any subsidy for flights between Newquay airport and London. There is an eerie quiet...

Peter Tremayne
6th September 2021
2 comments

Cornwall’s proposed Cycle Hub doubles in price in only 12 months, as County Hall starts its search for £7 million

By Peter Tremayne Cornwall Council has revealed that a “cycle hub” to be built on council-owned land near Newquay has nearly doubled in price in only 12 months. In...

Peter Tremayne
3rd September 2021
2 comments

EXCLUSIVE: Defence helicopter firm set to quit Newquay

By Peter Tremayne A Newquay-based helicopter company which trains crews for civilian firms, emergency services, military and defence contractors is quitting Cornwall, with the loss of several jobs locally....

Peter Tremayne
2nd September 2021
1 comment

Some of Cornwall’s 11-year-olds will get their first Covid test this week, as government scientists warn that returning schools will trigger another “exponential” increase in Covid infection

By Rashleigh MacFarlane Some of Cornwall’s schools return this week in an atmosphere of acute confusion over Covid rules. Neither the government nor Cornwall Council has issued any clear...

Rashleigh MacFarlane
30th August 2021
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Covid-19: Cornwall’s infection rate has trebled since “Freedom Day” only one month ago

By Anne North Cornwall’s Covid infection rate saw another huge increase yesterday (Wednesday) and now stands at 771.3 per 100,000 population, the highest in mainland Britain. The average for...

Anne North
26th August 2021
0 comment

Battery-powered aircraft flies in to Newquay in quest for “green” aviation

By Peter Tremayne Pioneering, experimental short-haul flights using a battery-powered aircraft have started between Newquay and Exeter. Ampaire uses a hybrid electric aircraft as part of a series of...

Peter Tremayne
25th August 2021
0 comment

Cornwall’s MPs strike different tones in debate about Afghanistan disaster

By Julia Penhaligon Only one of Cornwall’s six MPs spoke in yesterday’s (Wednesday’s) emergency debate about Afghanistan. Newquay and St Austell’s Steve Double was concerned that a “resettlement scheme”...

Julia Penhaligon
19th August 2021
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Boardmasters revellers go home, leaving someone else to clear up the mess

Part of the Boardmasters festival site, Newquay, after the revellers had gone. Festival organisers say the mess will be cleared as quickly as possible.

Peter Tremayne
18th August 2021
1 comment

No UFOs over Cornwall during G7 Summit, says air traffic control

By Peter Tremayne Air traffic controllers at Newquay Airport have said they did not see anything unusual in the skies over Cornwall during or immediately after the G7 Summit...

Peter Tremayne
11th August 2021
0 comment

After the gold rush: once the summer tourist season is over, who will fly from Cornwall to London?

By Peter Tremayne A decision is expected soon on which airline – if any - will operate winter flights from Newquay to London – and to which airport. Last...

Peter Tremayne
4th August 2021
0 comment

Extra trains for Newquay’s Boardmasters festival could impact other services, warns GWR

By Peter Tremayne Trains in and out of Cornwall could be disrupted later this month when GWR runs 20 bespoke services for the Boardmasters festival at Newquay. A total...

Peter Tremayne
3rd August 2021
0 comment

Newquay to get electric “tuk tuk” shuttle service

By Richard Whitehouse Visitors to Newquay will be able to jump on board electric tuk tuks after a company was granted a licence to operate them by Cornwall Council....

theboss
26th July 2021
0 comment

Cornwall Council’s change in political control means no change for couple caught in cycle trail compulsory purchase ordeal

By Richard Whitehouse A couple have told of the nightmare they have experienced due to their home being in the middle of a major Cornwall Council project to create...

theboss
23rd July 2021
1 comment

Branson’s success opens opportunities for Newquay space tourism

By Peter Tremayne Richard Branson’s 53-mile-high flight to the edge of space yesterday (Sunday) has rekindled talk of “space tourism” from Newquay. The 70-year-old tycoon was one of six...

Peter Tremayne
12th July 2021
0 comment

Branson is on his way – Virgin Galactic heads for the edge of space

By Peter Tremayne Richard Branson’s VSS Unity has taken off from spaceport America, New Mexico, for what should be a 90-minute flight to the edge of space, about 50...

Peter Tremayne
11th July 2021
0 comment

Branson’s “space or bust” flight tomorrow has implications for Newquay

By Peter Tremayne While the future of the proposed Newquay spaceport has always been assumed to rely on the growing commercial market for satellite launches, Richard Branson’s attempt to...

Peter Tremayne
10th July 2021
0 comment

Concern over plan to move villages out of Parliamentary constituencies

By Richard Whitehouse Plans to shift entire villages into different Parliamentary constituencies have come under fire from local councillors who are encouraging residents to make their views known. The...

theboss
10th July 2021
0 comment

Mawgan Porth planning rumpus over unauthorised office, garage and swimming pool

By Richard Whitehouse A garage, office and swimming pool which were built without planning permission may have to be pulled down after councillors refused to grant retrospective permission. Dean...

theboss
9th July 2021
0 comment

Branson’s rocket is on its way to the stars – successful launch sends Virgin into orbit, boosting prospects for Newquay spaceport

By Peter Tremayne Richard Branson’s LauncherOne rocket has successfully ignited its engines and is on its way to deliver three satellites into orbit. The successful flight – only the...

Peter Tremayne
30th June 2021
0 comment

All systems go for 2pm launch, says Virgin Orbit

By Peter Tremayne Virgin Orbit will attempt to reach space at 2pm this afternoon (Wednesday) – a crucial moment for the Newquay spaceport. Richard Branson’s LauncherOne rocket so far...

Peter Tremayne
30th June 2021
0 comment

Virgin Orbit confirms it will attempt satellite launch tomorrow

By Peter Tremayne Virgin Orbit has said it is still planning to attempt a second rocket launch from California tomorrow. Richard Branson’s LauncherOne rocket is due to take off...

Peter Tremayne
29th June 2021
0 comment

Go or No Go? Will Branson’s rocket fly again on Wednesday?

By Peter Tremayne Supporters of the Newquay spaceport are watching anxiously to see if Richard Branson succeeds in launching a satellite on Wednesday (30th June.) The Virgin Orbit LauncherOne...

Peter Tremayne
28th June 2021
0 comment

Anne Double elected to chair Newquay Airport Forum

By Julia Penhaligon New Cornwall councillor Anne Double, wife of St Austell and Newquay MP Steve Double, has been elected chair of the Newquay Airport consultative forum, As the...

Julia Penhaligon
24th June 2021
0 comment

Newquay spaceport: it’s the final countdown (maybe)

By Peter Tremayne Richard Branson’s Virgin Orbit satellite rocket should take off from Newquay in 12 months, councillors have been told. The tycoon has told the Newquay spaceport team...

Peter Tremayne
23rd June 2021
1 comment

Batteries included: electric aircraft to shuttle from Newquay airport to Exeter

By Peter Tremayne A battery-powered light aircraft is to operate experimental shuttle flights between Newquay airport and Exeter later this year as part of a government experiment to cut...

Peter Tremayne
22nd June 2021
0 comment

easyJet now flying from Newquay to Birmingham and Inverness

By Peter Tremayne easyJet is introducing two new routes from Newquay Airport, to Birmingham and Inverness. One-way fares start at £22.99. The new routes join easyJet routes from Newquay...

Peter Tremayne
17th June 2021
0 comment

Branson’s rocket delayed again

By Peter Tremayne Virgin Orbit has again rescheduled its planned launched of a satellite rocket, delaying take-off by a week. The LauncherOne had been due to take off from...

Peter Tremayne
17th June 2021
0 comment

Competition intensifies in the horizontal launch space-race

By Peter Tremayne The commercial pressure on Richard Branson’s Virgin Orbit company has increased after a rival company successfully put a satellite into space from a horizontal launch. The...

Peter Tremayne
14th June 2021
0 comment

Newquay Airport flights to Dublin, and Belfast, hit by collapse of Stobart Air

By Peter Tremayne Flights between Newquay and Dublin, and Belfast, have been cancelled with immediate effect following the collapse of Stobart Air, which operated the routes on behalf of...

Peter Tremayne
13th June 2021
0 comment

20th February 2017

Cornwall Reports is currently examining the Cornwall Council Site Allocations Document, to be considered by the Planning Policy Advisory Committee today (Monday.)

The document identifies the following towns/areas as strategically important for growth: Penzance & Newlyn, Hayle, Camborne-Pool-Illogan-Redruth, Helston, Falmouth and Penryn, Newquay, St Austell, Eco-communities (china clay areas) Bodmin, Launceston and Saltash.

Here is a map, and the planning officer’s executive summary:

A Cornwall Site Allocations Document is being prepared that sets out strategic sites to deliver Cornwall’s economic and housing growth within some of Cornwall’s largest settlements. The Cornwall Site Allocations Development Plan Document (DPD), forms part of a suite of documents that sit under the banner of the Cornwall Local Plan; demonstrating how the growth targets within the Cornwall Local Plan: Strategic Policies document will be delivered within these settlements.

The development of the area based sections of the Allocations DPD has been progressed in close consultation with the relevant local Cornwall Council members and the Town and Parish Councils.

The document recently went through a period of public consultation, ending on the 16 November 2016.

Approximately 1300 representations were received and the main issues that were raised, together with officer responses, are set out in Appendix 2 (see ‘Supporting Information’ at the end of this report for the link to the document).

As a result of this consultation, together with the continued engagement with other bodies, various changes to the area based sections were made. Appendix 1 sets out the proposed publication version of the Cornwall Site Allocations DPD, with changes to the area based section highlighted using track changes.

This report is seeking endorsement of this publication version of the Cornwall Site Allocations DPD; which would result in undertaking a further period of public consultation. Subject to no significant changes being required as a result of this consultation, the Service Director of Planning & Sustainable Development, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Planning, would then submit the Cornwall Site Allocations DPD to the Secretary for State, which would then lead to an Examination in Public.