FAQs

Despite the success of existing approaches to tackling the crisis, which include prevention services, high street outreach, emergency and longer-term accommodation-based provision etc, there remains an acute and urgent need for temporary accommodation in main towns in Cornwall. There are over 650 households either living in temporary or emergency accommodation in the county. This includes many in unsatisfactory and unsustainable emergency provision such as B&Bs and hotels.

Due to the extraordinary increase in demand, the Council is seeking to develop a range of new temporary accommodation facilities throughout Cornwall. These are intended to help get families and individuals out of emergency, unsuitable (and extremely expensive) non-commissioned accommodation such as B&Bs or hotels. The Tregunnel Hill scheme is one such scheme, which will provide ‘move on’ housing for people to stay in for the short to medium term as part of a journey towards settled, permanent, housing. 

During the early days of the Covid-19 pandemic, Cornwall Council successfully delivered a number of ‘Stage 1’ schemes in key locations. These schemes were specifically for high support clients, that had largely been rough sleeping immediately prior to the pandemic, often with complex needs and support requirements. 

Examples of this include the emergency cabin-style ‘Bunkabin’ sites implemented in Truro, Penzance and Camborne (three of which are still operational).  This also included achieving successful planning approval and rebuilding a purpose designed Somewhere-Safe-to-Stay hub (“hostel”) in the centre of Truro, which will complete in late 2022.  

Further ‘Stage 1’ accommodation is planned for a key site in the wider Penzance area, to assist high support clients in the West of the Cornwall.  Delivering these schemes has been incredibly valuable to those that have used them; there are numerous examples of where clients have used a short stay in these sites to turn their lives around, and make real progress in returning back to settled, independent lives.  

Work to provide additional ‘Stage 1’ accommodation continues in key locations. However, the momentum this has created has now identified the need for housing for people with low or no support needs, which is for clients that are either already a substantial way through their journey back to settled housing and can take the next step, or clients that don’t need support at all, but find themselves homeless with no means to secure accommodation on their own.  

The Council has already commissioned two such sites to be built: the first is a landmark scheme at the former Cowlins Mill (External link) in Pool for 10 modular homes on a brownfield site; the second is on part of the Old County Hall(External link)  campus in Truro for 15 modular homes.  A further planning application has been submitted for a site on Commercial Road in Penryn (6 modular homes), and a range of additional sites are being worked up on other Council-owned land elsewhere in Cornwall.  

The scheme is being led by Cornwall Council’s Housing Delivery Team in partnership with CORMAC who will be commissioned to undertake the civil engineering element and ground works for the scheme. The site will be managed by a registered housing provider on completion ie. Cornwall Housing Ltd.

A full planning application was submitted to the Local Planning Authority in September 2022.

Once validated, the planning officer consults with key stakeholders on the material planning aspects of the scheme.  This includes Newquay Town Council. The general public will also be able to comment; this must be done through our online planning portal, which can be accessed via this link  (External link) quoting the planning reference number PA22/08241, or the site address and post code.

If there is a need to present the scheme to a planning committee, this will be done at a suitable meeting of the Central Sub-Area Planning Committee in due course.

The planning application will be considered in accordance with the National Planning Policy Framework, the Cornwall Local Plan and relevant sections of the Newquay Neighbourhood Development Plan.  

This scheme is being developed in response to significant temporary accommodation need in Newquay. Research identified a number of Cornwall Council owned sites and the Tregunnel car park site was selected following a thorough evaluation of all the sites available.

Tregunnel car park is identified in the Newquay Neighbourhood Development Plan as being one where the principle of development is acceptable. The plan does not specifically seek to prevent development in this location, as it does on other more centrally located car parks. The applicant considers that the partial use of the site to provide temporary accommodation for eligible households is a socially positive use of the site, that will help relieve some of the local housing stress and provide good quality, safe and affordable accommodation for those in the community that need it.

Additionally, the site is in a sustainable, well-connected location within the Town where one is not reliant upon a private car. Should scheme residents need to park a vehicle, they will have the ability to purchase a parking permit for use in the adjacent car park, but it is considered preferable to manage this on a case-by-case basis, rather than specifically reserve one space per property.

Cornwall Council has acquired a number of purpose-designed ‘SoloHaus’ modular homes, specifically for use as short-to-medium term accommodation. They are not converted shipping containers, but have been designed, engineered and purpose built in a factory within the UK, to meet the highest standards of construction and energy efficiency.  

They are constructed from Light Gauge Steel Frame and, as a result of their enhanced durability, they are highly sustainable, safe and can easily be transported by road. This means that they can either be placed on a site permanently or moved from location to location over time.

The SoloHaus product has been developed by the Hill Group, a large construction firm in the East of England. It was purpose-designed specifically to provide excellent quality accommodation for people that are, or have been, homeless and need assistance on their journey back to settled housing.

The homes are practical, cost effective to heat and power, and come complete with all the fixtures and fittings someone would need to live in the property.  The homes are of a contemporary, attractive design, that benefit from low carbon space and water heating provided by communal air source heat pumps.   They also include Mechanical Ventilation and Heat Recovery (MVHR) systems which further assists with keeping running costs to a minimum

 The homes include:

• Fully fitted single bedroom with all furniture and bedding;
• Fully fitted shower room, with sink, toilet and storage;
• Kitchen with cooking facilities, sink, fridge, washing machine and utensils/kitchen equipment;
• Living space with dining table and chairs, sofa, and TV stand/shelves etc.;
• Central heating; and
• A range of soft furnishings / utility products.

Solohaus units are Building Regulations compliant with very high levels of fire safety. They also benefit from a BOPAS warranty, which is the industry standard construction warranty for modular housing

 You can find out more about the SoloHaus product, including seeing some of the Hill Group’s other recently completed schemes here 

        All SoloHaus image copyright retained by The Hill Group

The homes will be located in the southernmost (lower) section of the car park and care is being taken with boundary treatment to address perceived issues with noise and overlooking.

Site Location for Tegunnel Hill ‘Move-on’ scheme outlined in red.

Layout plan for Tregunnel Hill ‘Move-on’ scheme

Artist’s impression of cross section from Tregunnel Hill ‘Move-on’ scheme, showing units 1-8, looking north-west

The scheme will be funded from a mixture of central Government grant and funding from Cornwall Council’s housing-related budgets, which are specifically set aside for tackling the homeless crisis.

We are providing these homes for people in Cornwall that need our help.  

There is a huge demand for temporary accommodation at present. Whilst the Council and other partners have made considerable interventions already, the need continues to increase, and there is a concern that the situation could get worse still given the current and projected nationwide cost of living increases.

 It is important to remember that people can find themselves homeless and in need of housing assistance from the Council, for many and varied reasons.  

 Amongst others, this might include:

• family or relationship breakdowns
• people fleeing domestic violence
• eviction from a privately rented home (including ‘no fault’ evictions)
• loss of income/job
• bereavement
• significant changes to mental or physical health, or 
• struggling to cope with life outside the armed forces.   

This can lead to people having no option (or feeling as though they have no option) but to sleep rough, sleeping in their cars, or making temporary arrangements to ‘sofa surf’. None of these are socially or morally acceptable and Cornwall Council has committed to do all it can to help people into a settled lifestyle.

Every placement into temporary accommodation is evaluated, with individual risk assessments. 

The Tregunnel Hill scheme will be a ‘Stage 2’ site for individuals that are assessed as having low or no support needs.   

Clients with complex needs that require high or intense support, or who are otherwise considered unsuitable due to the risk they pose to themselves, or others, will not be eligible to move-on to this scheme. Other provision is available (and is being brought on stream) for clients who fall into this category.

Residents of the proposed Tregunnel Hill scheme would occupy under what’s called a ‘non-secure’ (nightly) tenancy.  This means that occupants will not have security of tenure, and should it become necessary, the Council can seek an eviction notice and move an individual to another location, or in some circumstances, discharge its homeless duty.

This also means that should an occupant’s personal circumstances deteriorate, and they become ineligible to remain at this site (for example, because their support needs increase), they can be assisted into more suitable accommodation that provides the appropriate level of support for that individual.  

The intention behind this type of move-on accommodation is to provide a period of stability before someone moves into their permanent home. As such, individuals may live on the site for up to 2 years at a time. Low or no support schemes like this do not typically have a high turnover of clients, unlike high support schemes where people receive very intense support over a short period. 

Some clients that move into this site may already have paid or voluntary employment. It is not uncommon for people that form this cohort of clients to be homeless simply because they have lost their ‘tied accommodation’ (a bedroom in a hotel within the tourism industry for example), or working elsewhere in the tourism sector, but simply being unable to afford to rent anything privately in the area.  Other clients will use this period of stability to seek employment or other training in the local area.

Emergency and supported housing providers are notified when vacancies arise and made aware of the criteria tenants must meet for the accommodation concerned. These agencies select prospective tenants according to priority, using a ‘risk matrix’ to determine whether the proposed tenants meet the criteria outlined. Referral forms are then submitted to our Rough Sleeper Service for those selected, along with a scored risk matrix.

When assessing referrals, top priority is given to those already in temporary accommodation for instance emergency, crisis or hospital discharge. Second priority is given to those in supported housing with a history of rough sleeping and third priority is given to those sofa surfing or at risk of rough sleeping. Only clients identified as having low or no support needs will be eligible to live on this site.

A multiagency panel meet to consider the referrals made by the housing providers. When deciding who will be allocated a place, they consider factors such as priority level; suitability of location or site; the individual’s support needs, their risk score and affordability ie. whether they can manage the rent and service charges

See the process flow diagram below which maps out the above described steps. 

We are committed to maintaining the same tenant profile, that is - clients with low/no support needs, for the life of this scheme.

Clients will not live permanently in these homes. Instead they will live here for up to 2 years – or until they are ready to move into permanent, settled housing. The time frame will vary for each individual. Some residents will be ready within a matter of weeks or months while others will take longer. Typically, the length of the non-secure tenancy will be 18-24 months, however, in all cases, it will be for no more than 3 years in the first instance.

The support package will vary between individuals and will be decided in consultation with the prospective tenant at the time of offer. At Tregunnel Hill the support provider will be appointed by us to provide low level visiting support staff.

Additional assistance will be available from a range of agencies, as necessary. These may include Cornwall Housing, specialist support agencies, employment organisations, health care providers - or other charities.  Every client will have a plan that identifies the specific areas they may need support with, for example seeking education placements, accessing health care or benefits applications.

The site will be managed by a specialist housing management provider ie. Cornwall Housing Ltd.

The management provider will also be responsible for repairs and maintenance of the accommodation and grounds to ensure the site remains an attractive and comfortable space for residents to live.

The housing management provider will provide neighbours with a single point of contact for the Tregunnel housing management support team should any issues arise during working hours, together with an out of hours contact in the event of an unexpected incident.

In line with good practice, Cornwall Council undertook pre-submission engagement with both Newquay Town Council and nearby residents.  

Officers from the Council’s Housing Delivery Team presented the proposal to Newquay Town Council at a public meeting on 08 June 2022. On 26 July 2022 representatives from Newquay Town Council viewed a demonstration modular home which was temporarily erected within the grounds of New County Hall, Truro. 

Letters were sent to nearby residential addresses on 21 July 2022  (159 in total), to inform residents of the proposed development.  See the documents section of this webpage for a copy of this letter. Representations were received from just 5% of those contacted. Of the eight responses received one respondent asked to be kept informed of progress; the remaining seven offered comments or raised concerns that have, where possible, been used to inform and enhance the design. This has led to the scheme being revised to amend the height of some of the boundary fencing, incorporate CCTV and add a small cabin for visiting support-staff. 

Engagement also took place with Devon and Cornwall Police and other organisations; a summary of which is provided within the Statement of Community involvement submitted with the planning application.

The proposed scheme also has Divisional Member support.

Tenants will be risk assessed as part of the allocations process to ensure only those assessed as low risk are allocated a place at the Tregunnel scheme. Residents are also bound by strict tenancy conditions regarding anti-social behaviour, such as inflicting excessive noise, annoyance, distress or harassment on others either inside or outside the development. 

This accommodation is a ‘stepping stone’ towards a permanent home and tenants understand the value of the opportunity being offered to them, along with the consequences of failing to maintain a tenancy.

If a resident’s level of need increased during the tenancy, the management provider will look to transfer the client out of the Tregunnel scheme to a setting which accommodates higher support needs.

The site will have CCTV as per a recommendation from local police and requests from nearby residents.  A small management space will also be provided for visiting support staff. The site will not have a physical 24/7 security presence as this is a low support site where clients will have been assessed and deemed suitable for independent living.

Safety has been an important consideration when designing the scheme and advice has been sought from Devon and Cornwall Police in this regard. 

The site has limited access on the northern and eastern boundaries only and CCTV will be in place for the reassurance and safety of the community, both inside and outside the development.

Local residents will be offered a single point of contact for the scheme, both inside and outside working hours.

Additionally, the robust tenant selection process described in this document should help to provide reassurance regarding safety concerns. Scheme residents will be risk assessed and only those who are categorised as low risk will be offered a place in the Tregunnel Hill scheme. Scheme residents will receive direct support at the start of their tenancy with tasks such as setting up utilities, claiming benefits and settling into their new community. This ensures the best transitional experience during which potential anxieties are addressed and resolved.

The car park has a signed capacity of 508 spaces, some of which were lost to provide access to the adjoining development. A detailed parking survey has highlighted peak usage of 384 cars on 24 July 2022. This proposal will result in a reduction to the size of the car park of about 120 spaces and, as a consequence, the car park will have less capacity than summer peak demand (4/5 weeks), but more than sufficient car parking space for the remainder of the year.

The current car park layout is inefficient, with overgrown verges and poor demarcation of spaces. There is considerable scope to re-organise, re-line and improve the remainder of the car park to maximise the number of vehicles that can be accommodated - once the temporary accommodation scheme has been created.  The Housing and Transport services will commit to a joint programme of redesign and maintenance of the remainder of the car park to improve the quality of the site, and help offset car parking loss. 

It should be noted that unauthorised encampments are a regular (seasonal) issue in the car park, which already reduce capacity within the site.  As part of this proposal, the Council will provide CCTV within the ‘housing’ portion of the site, and on key access/egress locations. The Council is also currently investigating wider CCTV installation in the remainder of the car park.  The subsequent re-design work will seek to make the site less attractive for unauthorised encampments.  These combined interventions are expected to have an impact on reducing anti-social behaviour and reduce the likelihood of the site being occupied by future unauthorised encampments.

Separately, the Council also intends to secure a long-term Park & Ride facility to serve Newquay, which will add capacity into the parking network. This has been trialled for the last two years, and there is currently no reason to believe that this will not be achievable in the future.

The application deliberately does not propose ‘on scheme’ parking for new residents. This is a conscious decision in light of the client group having proportionately low levels of car ownership.  Additionally, the site is in a sustainable, well-connected location within the Town where one is not reliant upon a private car. Should scheme residents need to park a vehicle, they will have the ability to purchase a parking permit for the car park, but it is considered preferable to manage this on a case-by-case basis, rather than specifically reserve a space per property.

The planning consultation process has begun. 

Comments on the planning application can be made as part of the planning consultation process quoting planning application ref: PA22/08241 and using the following link to our online planning portal 

Separate from the planning consultation process, you are also welcome to submit questions using the link on the Tregunnel Hill ‘Let’s Talk’ page. .

Responses will be added to the FAQs if not already addressed.