PROPOSALS that could see a mixed use development of approximately 70 homes in addition to an eco hotel, community space and a café have been put before Cornwall Council.

The plans, concerning land to the east of Black Rock Café on Widemouth Bay, Bude, would also include a beach serving car park, eco holiday homes and self-build units, new areas of public open space, the creation of habitats and wider ecological enhancements.

Cavanna Homes is behind the scheme, which would be built on two plots of land at Widemouth Bay.

The plans are not yet part of a full application – but rather Cavanna Homes have filed what is known as an Ultimate Planning Performance Agreement application.

An Ultimate Planning Performance Agreement (Ultimate PPA) is a highly comprehensive, premium project management framework offered by local planning authorities to manage complex, large-scale property and land development proposals.

Rather than standard transactional pre-application advice, the "Ultimate" tier provides a continuous, bespoke partnership between the developer and the council from the absolute earliest conception of a project all the way through to post-decision matters.

A supporting statement says: “The proposed development represents a significant opportunity to deliver a comprehensive package of housing, economic, community and environmental benefits for Widemouth Bay. The combined scheme could provide up to 70 new homes, including affordable housing, alongside a boutique eco-hotel, eco-tourism accommodation and community facilities that will strengthen the local visitor economy and support year-round employment.

“New public open spaces, walking routes and enhanced connections to the beach, South West Coast Path and wider countryside will improve accessibility and recreational opportunities for residents and visitors alike. The proposals will also rationalise and enhance beach parking provision, reducing pressure on existing informal parking areas and improving the overall visitor experience.”

In the first site, known as Site A, there would be up to 44 new homes, which would include a proportion of ‘affordable housing’. There would also be a new vehicular and pedestrian access from Leverlake Road and some work to the landscape.

This includes what Cavanna Homes describe as attractive areas of public open space and comprehensive landscape restoration and ecological enhancements.

The proposed businesses and community spaces would be in Site B. The plans for this plot would incorporate 26 new homes, also including affordable housing, a boutique hotel with a community hub, café and meeting facilities, a new beach car park with as many as 100 parking spaces, a new road and pedestrian access from Marine Drive, eco-pods and self/custom build plots, extensive public open space and landscape restoration.

The documents from Cavanna Homes added: “The development would seek to provide an opportunity to “improve connectivity between the village, beach and surrounding countryside through enhanced pedestrian and cycle connections, improved access to the South West Coast Path and wider public rights of way network and the provision of formalised beach parking”.

Find out about planning applications that affect you by visiting the Public Notice Portal.

The full proposals can be viewed using the reference PA26/01112/PREAPP on the Cornwall Council planning portal.