Protest group against eco-hotel

A protest group has been set up to campaign against plans for a so-called "eco-hotel" in a Cornwall village.

The proposed £3m development, at St Ewe, near St Austell, would generate energy from natural sources.

Developers say the hotel would cater for guests who would include visitors to the nearby Lost Gardens of Heligan and the Eden Project.

But many villagers claim the 50-bedroom project would damage the environment and threaten local businesses.

Sticking a big building in an area like that is a mistake Peter Burton, Cornwall Rural Community Council

Nearly 200 people visited an exhibition about the eco-hotel in the village hall at St Ewe on Tuesday night.

The proposed hotel site is north of the village, which is surrounded by open countryside. The development plans include a village shop, a post office and a health spa.

Developer Andrew Lakeman, said it was a new concept for the county.

He said: "It is a building which offers accommodation and which takes energy from natural resources, such as sunlight and heat from subsoil, to subsidise power from the national grid."

But villagers fear it is too big for the area and would not be ecologically friendly.

Bridget de Courcy said: "I don't think it can be, because it's a greenfield site, and the amount of traffic that would come into the village can't be environmentally friendly."

Another villager, Sue Hawken, said the competition would threaten existing businesses.

She said: "The village is actually very well serviced for shops. There are four post offices in a five-mile radius. None of those would welcome it."

Future developments

Andrew Lakeman said the plans could be amended if a shop and post office are not wanted.

He said: "Some residents said they believed they are not required.

"If not, then we can take them out of the build."

But some people have other concerns.

Villager Martin Wheeley said: "The big worry is it might leave things open to future development. It could snowball into new housing and other projects."

Peter Burton of local charity the Cornwall Rural Community Council, which supports communities and the voluntary sector, said: "Sticking a big building in an area like that is a mistake.

"I think there is a danger that pandering to tourism you're not benefiting the community in the long-term."

About 75 villagers attended a protest meeting after the exhibition. They are setting up a campaign group to oppose the hotel and any other development schemes put forward.