Client: Bluechip Hotels

Location: Glendorgal Hotel, Newquay, TR7 3AD

Services provided

• Preliminary Ecological Appraisal (PEA)

• Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) calculations and landscape design

• Heritage Environmental Impact Assessment

• Green Infrastructure Report

• Bat Emergence Surveys

• Ecological Impact Assessment (EcIA)

The Challenge

Bluechip Hotels required expert support to secure planning permission for the partial demolition and redevelopment of the Glendorgal Hotel and adjacent residential building into holiday apartments. The project included new extensions, car parking, and carefully considered landscaping.

The site presented several sensitive constraints: a Scheduled Monument (“Trevelgue and Barrowfields”), invasive non-native plant species, nesting coastal birds, and roosting bats. Cornwall Council also required a 10% Biodiversity Net Gain and site-specific habitat creation aligned with adjacent coastal dune systems.

Nightfox 2: Possible bat emergence locations

The Solution

Heritage: Our Heritage Environmental Impact Assessment confirmed that the proposed development would not negatively impact the Scheduled Monument’s significance. We recommended archaeological investigations as a planning condition to enhance public understanding of the site’s heritage.

Ecology

• Invasive Species: We advised legally compliant removal methods under Schedule 9 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act.

• Nesting Birds: All vegetation clearance was scheduled outside the bird nesting season.

• Bats: Summer 2024 emergence surveys confirmed four common pipistrelle bat roosts. We advised that demolition proceed under a Natural England Bat Mitigation Licence, with site enhancements to support local bat populations and meet planning requirements.

Green Infrastructure (GI): We developed a GI Strategy to satisfy Cornwall Council’s major development policy (G1), integrating Natural England’s five GI Principles through annotated site plans.

Biodiversity Net Gain: To achieve a 10% BNG, we designed locally appropriate habitat improvements and new habitat creation aligned with surrounding dune landscapes, dovetailing with the GI proposals.

Planning Support: A robust Ecological Impact Assessment (EcIA) addressed all ecological and heritage risks, supporting a successful full planning application.

The Result

Planning consent was granted in April 2025. Our holistic, compliant approach helped the client secure approval while meeting all legal obligations for protected species, heritage conservation, and local policy.

We’re now supporting the client through post-consent conditions:

• Developing a Habitat Management and Monitoring Plan for BNG delivery

• Preparing and managing the EPS Mitigation Licence for the bat roosts

• Supervising ecological mitigation during demolition to ensure lawful and ethical implementation

Reach out today to discuss your project needs.