Residents living close to the site of a proposed care development in Truro have said the scheme would affect privacy and add to traffic and noise in the area.
Sanctuary Housing submitted plans to Cornwall Council for a new three storey, 54 bed Mountford House care home on Cyril Road. The building would replace a smaller, single storey care home currently on the site.
Cornwall Council’s planning department recommended approval, but the application was brought before the strategic planning committee after a local Liberal Democrat councillor raised concerns expressed by nearby residents. Despite this, councillors approved the Mountford House care home planning approval, saying the scheme would make “a positive contribution towards meeting a critical and growing need for specialist supported accommodation”.
The meeting was told the proposal had already been amended. The number of beds was reduced from 57 to 54 following concerns from officers and residents about scale and impact on neighbouring properties. Part of the building was also reduced in size, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service. Truro City Council, which had originally objected, was re consulted and later supported the revised application.
During the meeting, resident Anthony Randall said the development would be “overshadowing and overbearing”.
He said: “The previous care home was single-storey, whereas this is three storeys high. The increase in height is six to seven metres.
“Its size and mass is completely incongruous with the surrounding properties. It is overdevelopment.
“There are a total of 26 overlooking windows – an invasion of privacy both into surrounding properties and into the home itself from those properties.”
Supporters of the scheme pointed to demographic pressures across the county. According to ONS Census data from 2021, Cornwall has a population of 591,696, with 26.5% aged 65 or over and 3.3% aged 85 or over. Home ownership levels are higher than the national average, with 42% owning outright and a further 24% owning with a mortgage or loan. Average house prices stand at £341,587, above both the UK and South West averages, which is seen as supporting a sustainable private fee paying care market.
Supply of care homes has declined in recent years. Between 2021 and 2025, nine homes closed in Cornwall, resulting in the loss of 315 beds. Seven new homes opened during the same period, adding 66 beds. The county now has 130 care homes, only 15% of which are purpose built. Just 26% have more than 40 beds, compared with a national average of 47%. En suite provision stands at 60%, while only 9% of beds have wetrooms, well below the UK average of 34%.
As of June 2025, seven developments are underway in Cornwall, delivering 424 beds. Five approved extensions are expected to add 99 more beds, with additional schemes at master plan and early stage development. Even so, demand is forecast to significantly outstrip supply. Bed demand is estimated at 4,694 in 2025, rising to 5,423 by 2030 and 6,434 by 2035. Analysis suggests a projected shortfall of 5,631 beds by 2035.
Speaking for Sanctuary, Alison Olds said Cornwall faced growing pressure on care provision and that “sadly, the demand far outstrips the supply”. She said the Mountford House care home planning approval would help address this imbalance.
She added: “Our new Mountford House proposal directly addresses that need for Truro and the wider county.”
The committee heard that every bedroom would be en suite, providing “privacy, dignity and comfort for residents”. Ms Olds said that although the building would be taller than the previous care home, its footprint was smaller and set further away from neighbouring properties in most cases.
Councillors approved the application by eight votes to two, with one abstention, confirming the Mountford House care home planning approval.
