A man with a criminal conviction for fraudulent roofing work has constructed an unauthorised holiday park in his back garden, complete with luxury pods, a swimming pool, and a gym, sparking outrage in a quiet Cornish village.
From Roofer to Rogue Developer
Ross Cheal, who was prosecuted by Cornwall Council's Trading Standards team last year, built four holiday pods at his property in Steamers Meadow, Angarrack, near Hayle. He has been renting them out to tourists as 'Riverside Retreats - Bon Bon' on AirBnB, where a week's stay is advertised for over £700.
Cheal's past conviction saw him receive a 20-month suspended prison sentence for fraudulent representations and excuses made to customers of his company, Giant Roofing Ltd, between May 2020 and April 2023. He was also ordered to pay £29,541 in compensation to victims and £5,000 towards court costs.
Local Fury and Formal Objections
Residents of the picturesque village are incensed by the commercial development, which was created without any planning consent. Cheal has now submitted a retrospective planning application to Cornwall Council, seeking permission to retain the pods, pool, and gym building to avoid further legal action.
Neighbours, Hayle Town Council, and the Environment Agency have all formally objected. They argue the development has transformed a quiet residential plot into a bustling holiday park, causing increased traffic, noise, and harm to local wildlife.
Neighbour Robert Pavis stated the site originally had permission for only one dwelling and a garage. He wrote: 'This has fundamentally changed the site from a quiet residential use into a busy holiday park... Traffic has increased significantly... Noise levels have risen... These impacts were not anticipated.' He also reported a distinct decline in bat activity, kingfishers, woodpeckers, and deer.
A Battle Over Village Character
Objectors fear that approving the scheme retrospectively would set a dangerous precedent. Kevin Woolcock, another villager, suggested the council investigate further, noting Cheal's 'clear lack of regard for local law.'
Hayle Town Council warned the modern holiday pods are 'visually intrusive' and 'out of scale' with the rural village. They raised concerns about road safety, drainage, and the potential for a cumulative loss of the area's tranquility and character if similar tourist schemes followed.
In contrast, a planning statement submitted on Cheal's behalf argues the development is 'small in scale, well designed and wholly incidental to the principal dwelling.' It claims the proposals comply with local and national planning policy, enhance biodiversity, and represent a sustainable enhancement of the residential plot.
Cornwall Council must now decide whether to sanction the already-built holiday park or order its removal.
