All Change at Marsh Lane?

Two stories affecting the Marsh Lane area have emerged this week. Firstly it was announced that planning permission to build six large non-food warehouse style retail units had been applied for. The proposal includes a DIY superstore for which planning permission was apparently granted in the 1980s when out-of town developments were all the rage, but the store was never built.

The developers are now seeking to use the precedent set in the 1980s to build the new non-food retail park on the Loggans Mill Roundabout, near the McDonalds Restaurant. It is not at all clear that planning permission will be given for the new proposal despite a previous application being approved, as Government view of out out-of-town developments has changed and planning guidelines have been considerably tightened.

Hayle Town Council and Chamber of Commerce have cautiously welcomed the new proposal but there have been fears expressed that if given the go-ahead the out-of-town development would be detrimental to some of the shops currently based in Hayle.

Meanwhile tenants of the Penwith Council owned Marsh Lane Industrial Estate have brought to the attention of Hayle Town Council that they have received notification of a proposal that their rents are to be increased by up to 80%. It was stated that such a huge increase could threaten the viability of some of the small businesses that are based on the site. While some councillors expressed concern over the effect upon the viability this rent hike would have, Cllr Owen Philp asked the representative how much they currently pay. On being given the information Cllr Philp implied that this was nothing compared to the rent being asked at Foundry. Perhaps this is why most of the two year old Dowren House at Foundry stands empty two years after completion!

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