Proposals for a hotel, car showroom and care home in St Ives

A hotel, a car showroom and a care home could be built on the outskirts of St Ives.

Town councillors were shown plans for Giffords Park – land between Somersham Road and the A1123 – at last Wednesday’s planning meeting.

The proposals include a new ground for St Ives Town Football Club, allowing it to move from Westwood Road, a possible solar farm and a commercial/employment area that would allow ­businesses on the industrial estate to move to larger premises but remain within the town.

Space for a supermarket and petrol station has also been added in the plans, providing a ­possible alternative to Morrisons, which hopes to build a store next to the Marsh Harrier on the other side of Needingworth Road.

Other space is set aside for a hotel, residential care and a car showroom. Land has been offered to St Ivo School for a ­possible sixth form centre.

The blueprint for the east of the town, entitled St Ives – The future?, claims that Giffords Park can “provide key employment land needs for the town up to 2036”.

It says the proposals have received interest from several operators.

It adds: “Giffords Park has the potential to become a major employment centre, and existing and new public transport links to the town will allow local people a sustainable mode of travel.”

The plans also state: “This is not a short-term in-fill site which gives little or nothing back to the community as a whole. As an employment-led scheme, including a food store, sufficient capital will be generated to pump-prime important community ­facilities such as St Ives FC, ­residential care and opportunities for St Ivo School and others.

“A ‘window of ­opportunity’ exists with a long-term landowner who is willing to play a full role working with the community. This will allow the land to be managed and developed effectively as an asset of the town.”