Developers are at it again. As in 2015, and 2003, they are planning a multi-million dollar flat project that would obstruct the view from Talland House in St. Ives, Cornwall, which was the setting and inspiration for Virginia Woolf’s 1927 novel To the Lighthouse.
Professor Maggie Humm, vice-chair of the Virginia Woolf Society of Great Britain, and Councillor Johnnie Wells, Deputy Mayor of St. Ives at the Talland House plaque unveiling on Sept. 11, 2022. Photo: St. Ives September Festival
The last time, in 2015, developers proposed building a six-story, 10-flat project that would hide the view of Godrevy Lighthouse and the St. Ives coast.
This time, the project submitted to St. Ives Town Council by R.L. Southern, Ltd. is for 12 flats and again threatens to obstruct the view of the lighthouse, as well as of the Heritage Plaque installed on Talland House on Sept. 11, 20022, which will no longer be visible from a public highway, a requirement of any Heritage Plaque.
A parking garage will also be part of the multi-story project developed by R.L. Southern, Ltd., which incorporated in 2019 and appears to have no website of its own. Its director is Robert Mark Lane, 146 High Street, Billericay, Essex, United Kingdom, CM12 9DF. No other contact information is listed online.
Woolfians called to action
In 2015, Woolfians around the world fought back against the project that threatened the view of Godrevy, and the development was halted. Now, Woolf scholars and readers are being asked to take up the fight again by posting comments objecting to the plan on the St. Ives Town Council website at this link. Registration is required before commenting.
Background
Woolf and her family summered at Talland House for the first 12 years of her life. Godrevy Lighthouse, which she could see from her summer home plays an integral role in her famous novel To the Lighthouse (1927).
Maggie Humm announced this sad news and gave some background on previous development plans:
“For the first application I garnered objections from around the world including from Cecil Woolf, Leonard and Virginia Woolf’s nephew, now sadly deceased. The planning application was denounced in the Observer and other media. (At that time, Cecil posted this comment: ‘About the proposal to build a block of six flats and a car park in front of Talland House, which should, of course, be protected by English Heritage — I am appalled. This is sheer vandalism and should be stopped now.’)
“The [2025] application hardly differs from the original application which received objections from around the world.”
The application for the development, PA25/07750, can be accessed online, along with planning documents, a map, and more.
Maggie shares her objections
- The view from Talland House of Godrevy Lighthouse was central to VW’s
- Tourism, a vital industry in St Ives, relies on writers/artist connections to the town. World-wide visitors come to St Ives to see their houses. This development would constrain visits to Talland House and diminish the number of tourists.
- A plaque celebrating Woolf’s connections with St Ives, supported by the VWSGB and St Ives Council, and donations from Woolf scholars from around the world, was unveiled on 11 September 2022 by the Deputy Mayor and Maggie. It was part of the St Ives Festival programme that year, and praised on BBC Radio Cornwall, the Observer and by other media. A St Ives spokesman said at the time “this will mark our connection to important writers who also left their mark on west Cornwall.”
- Woolf’s family made a huge contribution to the town. Julia Stephen, Woolf’s mother, nursed and raised money for a trained nurse; Leslie Stephen gave prizes at the Regatta; and they joined the St Ives Arts Club. The Heritage Plaque celebrates that contribution.
Post objections now
Maggie urges all of us to forward our objections to the development as soon as possible, as the final decision on the new application will be made on 6 February 2026.
Map of the proposed development that would obstruct the view of the coast from Talland House in St. Ives, Cornwall. Talland House is to the left and below the development area, which is outlined in red.
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[…] case despite legal advice suggesting there may be grounds to challenge the process — and despite posted objections from St. Ives residents and others around the globe. UK media, including the BBC, The Telegraph, […]
For over sixty years our family have walked the three miles from Hayle estuary to Godrevy on our regular holidays. We always call it ‘walking to the lighthouse’, but I only made the boat trip this year and it felt like a pilgrimage. I have also followed Woolf’s footsteps around St Ives and up Trencrom Hill and to so many other places mentioned in her diaries and letters. We have often lurked near Talland House ‘like ghosts’ and wished we could get closer to see exactly what she saw from its windows. The development would be an absolute disaster for the thousands of people like me from around the world who only visit St Ives because of the inspiring works of Virginia Woolf. She felt that Cornwall belonged to her as do so many of us who love it. Please don’t lose this iconic view and save what is left for those who will come after us.
Thank you for sharing your experiences with Talland House, Avril. It is a special place and we all hope the view can be preserved for current and future generations.
Wow. What wonderful experiences. Thank you for sharing.
When I first visited Talland House, 50+ years ago, Woolf was hardly the household name she is today. But I can tell from blogs, social media posts, and visits to Monks House and Charleston, she is no longer the novelist studied in universities, but she is also a major literary/historical figure who is attracting more and more interest from people eager to learn more about her. If the council approves this plan it will be depriving people of a landmark building which will surely bring thousands of scholars/tourists over the years. Of course St. Ives is a beautiful town with connections to major artists — but once this project is approved and constructed it will be too late for us, and generations to come. Sincerely, Michele Tempesta
Sent from my iPhone
Thank you for sharing your experiences of visiting St. Ives and Talland House. Those of us who have been fortunate enough to enjoy the view of the St. Ives coast from Talland House want everyone now and in the future to have the same opportunity to enjoy it, too. It is certainly special, as it connects us with a literary great from the past.