A convicted rogue roofer has built an AirBnB ‘holiday park’ in his garden featuring a swimming pool and gym – without any planning permission.
Residents of a picturesque Cornish village were left fuming after Ross Cheal built four holiday pods in his back yard, that he has since been rented out to tourists.
Cheal has since applied for retrospective planning permission from the council, asking for the pods, his swimming pool, and the ‘incidental’ gym building to be saved in a bid to avoid facing legal action once more.
The luxurious holiday park at Steamers Meadow, Angarrack, near Hayle, also features an extended driveway for the ‘Riverside Retreats – Bon Bon’, as they are advertised on AirBnB for over £700 for a week stay, alongside a number of positive reviews.
But locals have objected and urged Cornwall Council to reject the plans by rogue roofer Cheal, who was prosecuted by Cornwall Council’s Trading Standards team last year and sentenced to a 20 months suspended prison sentence.
The court heard that between May 1, 2020, and April 30, 2023, Cheal was the director of Giant Roofing Ltd and made fraudulent representations and excuses to customers for roofing works carried out at several properties.
In the seven cases highlighted by Cornwall Council’s Trading Standards team, his actions led to significant delays, poor workmanship and failures to put work right.
He was also ordered to pay a total of £29,541 in compensation to his victims and £5,000 towards the council’s court costs.
The four pods have infuriated neighbours, who worry their Cornish village will be swarmed with Cheal’s paying customers
Ross Cheal (pictured) was handed a 20 month suspended sentence last year and was ordered to pay a total of £29,541 in compensation to his victims
Residents have objected and urged Cornwall Council to reject the plans by rogue roofer Cheal, who was prosecuted only last year for making fraudulent representations and excuses to customers for roofing works carried out at several properties
Among those to object to his latest scheme were Hayle Town Council and the Environment Agency. Neighbours also raised concern about a quiet residential home being turned into a busy holiday park.
Neighbour Robert Pavis wrote: ‘When I bought my property in 2016, I did so knowing the adjoining plot had permission for one dwelling and a garage/studio only.
‘Instead, the approved garage was never built, and a second unlawful dwelling has been constructed and lived in for a number of years. This has already doubled residential activity at the site without permission.
‘Since then, a commercial holiday business has been created including four holiday pods, a swimming pool, and a large gym building, operating as ‘Riverside Retreats.’ This has fundamentally changed the site from a quiet residential use into a busy holiday park.
‘Traffic has increased significantly, with frequent arrivals, departures, and visitor activity,’ he added.
‘Commercial vehicles are often parked on the narrow road through the village, creating hazards and worsening congestion.
‘Noise levels have risen, especially evenings and weekends, affecting the peaceful enjoyment of neighbouring homes.
‘These impacts were not anticipated when the original single-dwelling approval was granted.’
The pods are advertised as ‘Riverside Retreats – Bon Bon’ on AirBnB, and have received several positive reviews
Mr Pavis also claimed the development has caused a ‘distinct decline’ in bat activity, kingfishers, woodpeckers, and deer which he said was ‘previously common.’
‘This is likely due to lighting, noise, and increased human activity. The character of the area has changed from a quiet rural edge to a commercial holiday site, which feels out of keeping with the village,’ he added.
‘I understand Cornwall encourages tourism, but this is a residential plot.
‘I respect responsible development, but this represents a significant unauthorised intensification and change of use, with real negative impacts on neighbours, local wildlife, and village character. Approving this retrospectively would set a concerning precedent.’
The AirBnB listing describes Cheal and his partner, Alice, as ‘superhosts’ and invites guests to ‘take a break and unwind’.
‘This beautiful cabin situated in a peaceful meadow alongside a flowing stream in the village of Angarrack, close to popular hotspots Godreevy, Hayle and St Ives,’ it reads.
‘Cabin has gas central heating so cozy and warm for the colder month stays.
‘Local pub in Angarrack serves great food only a two minute walk. Local retail shops (including M&S, Next and Boots) five minute walk.
‘Walking distance to Hayle golden sands three mile beach (one mile away).’
Another villager Kevin Woolcock said in objection: ‘I would also suggest that a developer investing a large amount of funds into a project without planning must think they can get away with a scheme with no risk of sanction.
‘Maybe Cornwall Council should investigate this application further – the applicant has been fined by Cornwall Trading Standards for a bad standard of roofing work and clearly has little regard for local law.’
Hayle Town Council also submitted an objection and wrote: ‘Angarrack is a small village with a tightly knit development and a strong rural character.
‘Introducing a cluster of modern holiday pods would be a visually intrusive form of development, out of scale with the existing settlement.
‘The council has raised concerns about noise and vehicle movements associated with holiday accommodation, road safety issues and drainage issues.
‘If approved, the development could open the door to further tourist accommodation schemes around Angarrack and Hayle, leading to cumulative loss of tranquility, rural character and community coherence.’
The application also seeks permission to retain an annexe, which was converted from a previously approved garage, as well as consent to change the use of land to residential with the construction of a detached garage.
A design, access and heritage statement made by Cornwall Planning Group on behalf of Mr Cheal said: ‘The application seeks permission for the retention of ancillary development already on site and for the construction of a new detached garage.
‘The annexe provides flexible space for family members and guests. It does not function as a separate dwelling and it is incapable of independent occupation due to its scale, configuration and relationship to the principal dwelling.
‘The proposals are small in scale, well designed and wholly incidental to the principal dwelling.
‘They comply with the Cornwall Local Plan and National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF), enhance biodiversity and landscaping, manage flood risk and drainage responsibly, protect neighbour amenity and preserve the character of the village and the setting of heritage assets.
‘The development represents sustainable, proportionate enhancement of an established residential plot. For these reasons, the application is commended to Cornwall Council for approval.’
