Attention! Army camp for sale in Cornwall

A former Ministry of Defence prime piece of Cornish land is being sold but in a typically covert move, the price is not being revealed

A clifftop area on the coast of Cornwall near Newquay once owned by the Ministry of Defence (MoD) is being sold and comes with approval for both residential and commercial development.

The 16-hectare Penhale Camp, by Hoblyn’s Cove near Holywell Bay, has been vacant for almost a decade after being deemed surplus to requirements.

It was once a 24-hour training ground and recuperation facility for up to 700 soldiers.

The ex-MoD site in Holywell Bay has a number of two and four-bedroom dwellings already on site, with incredible sea views of the Cornish coast

Though the asking price is currently a secret, we can reveal that the area has planning permission for up to 134 homes (20 per cent of which must be affordable) plus 1,500 sqm of commercial building and up to three hectares of public space.

The abandoned army huts and buildings will be removed to make way for the development.

The land is being offered for sale by property consultancy Bruton Knowles, which says it is already fielding enquiries from a number of interested parties.

As an ex-military base there is a huge amount of land as part of the sale, used for all sorts of top-secret army activities

Bruton Knowles associate Harry Breakwell said, “It’s rare that a site of this nature and location comes to market with planning approval for coastal development. We see this as an opportunity to transform a vacant brownfield site into a real asset to, not only the future residents of the site but to the wider community.” 

As part of the proposals a natural stone farmhouse is to be converted into two dwellings and money has been set aside to create a public open space. In addition, a Strategic Access Management and Monitoring (SAMM) plan is in place to reduce the impact on the surrounding environment.

Consent for the proposed development was granted to the current owners, Comparo, this year following a period of public consultation.

The site has been cleared for both commercial and residential development, with an enforced inclusion of affordable housing and public space

Breakwell says: “The cleverly designed scheme comprises 2 to 4-bedroom dwellings with large open areas for the public to enjoy overlooking Holywell Bay. The site is conveniently located between the popular tourist towns of Newquay, to the north, and Perranporth to the south, with local amenities in the nearby village of Holywell Bay and further facilities to include a school, shop and pub in the neighbouring village of Cubert”.

Meanwhile, Knight Frank is currently offering for sale three historic military forts in the Solent between Portsmouth and the Isle of Wight for the collective guide price of £11m.

You can request to see technical drawings and planning information for the Penhale Campsite in Cornwall by emailing william.matthews@brutonknowles.co.uk.

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