Famous personalities and wealthy entrepreneurs have faced backlash for transforming a quaint village in Cornwall with their extravagant and unusual luxury residences, including one that resembles a shipping container and another featuring a roof that resembles a massive waterslide.

The picturesque seaside village of Magwan Porth in Cornwall has emerged as a hotspot for luxury real estate.  

The village has come to be known as ‘Hollywood-on-Sea’ due to a wave of A-list celebrities purchasing homes there, which has driven up property prices and pushed out the few year-round residents still living in the area.

Two lavish modern homes - one owned by Oscar winner Cate Blanchett and her husband, playwright Andrew Upton, the other by Innocent smoothie co-founders Richard Reed and Jon Wright - have come under recent criticism.

As per the planning documents provided to Cornwall Council, Reed and Wright intend to jointly utilize the property as a vacation home.

The adjacent properties are presently undergoing construction, following the acquisition of relatively modest homes for seven-figure prices, which were subsequently demolished.

Last year, Cate faced accusations from a neighbor who claimed that the construction noise from her five-bedroom eco-friendly house was disrupting family vacations.

Karen Burgess, who owns a holiday rental, claimed that there has been a complete lack of attention to the noise issues that are negatively impacting her rental income.

In a correspondence addressed to Cornwall Council, she expressed: "The losses exceeded £60,000 last year, and yet we continue to advertise the property as one impacted by construction noise." 

 "We believed that the [construction on the property] had come to an end, but now a new application for groundwork has emerged."

"This activity should not be allowed during the holiday season. We have never encountered such a flagrant lack of consideration for the visitors who come to enjoy this area during the holidays, as well as for the residents who cherish this time of year."

Cate Blanchett's representatives refuted the allegations, attributing the confusion to 'mistaken identity'. However, plans for a new parking facility and property access were subsequently retracted.

Recently the village was chosen as the backdrop for ITV’s hit drama Playing Nice.

The intense four-part drama - starring James Norton - which concluded this week, is filmed in several locations in the county including Mawgan Porth’s sprawling beach.

Reed and his fellow Cambridge alumnus Wright amassed a £320 million fortune after selling Innocent to Coca Cola in 2013.

During MailOnline's visit this week, construction activities were still in progress at both locations, with excavators and heavy machinery present on the premises.

Local real estate reports suggest that actress Imogen Stubbs, Jamie Dornan of Fifty Shades of Grey fame, and Hollywood stars Stanley Tucci and Jason Momoa have all purchased homes in the area.

David Beckham and Kate Winslet have also been seen enjoying some time at the beach.

With multiple daily flights connecting Newquay airport to Heathrow and specific landing spots for helicopters, international travel has become more accessible than ever for the wealthy and renowned making their way to their Cornish getaway.

NHS employee Kim Emmett, a resident of the village since 1987, revealed that the desire to mingle with celebrities has spiraled to such an extent that her mother received offers of £2 million for her house from passersby.

Kim, 51, shared, "This area has long been a favored vacation spot due to its location between Newquay and Padstow, as well as its proximity to a National Trust gem. Its popularity has surged annually. Many locals have moved away, leading to the demolition of older homes, which have been replaced by contemporary, cube-shaped buildings reminiscent of California, rather than the charming bungalows from the 1930s."

"There are numerous stylish, modern cube-shaped buildings around. These properties are currently priced at over a million. It's impossible to find a property in this area for less than a million. Locals simply cannot afford to purchase anything here."

One consequence of the numerous second homes is that during the winter months, Mawgan Porth turns into a deserted town.

A resident mentioned earlier this week, "I can hardly spot anyone else out and about; it would feel eerie if we weren't so accustomed to it."

"During the summer, the crowds can be overwhelming, but it does strengthen the bonds among those who live here year-round. We’ve cultivated a lovely sense of community and make an effort to support local businesses whenever possible, though the stark contrast between seasons can be quite challenging."

Emma Keelan, a 45-year-old former military medic turned dog walker, spent nearly two decades in Mawgan Porth. However, during the Covid pandemic, she was compelled to leave the village and move into temporary housing after her landlord opted to convert the rental property into a holiday rental.

She remarked, “It’s astonishing to see how these celebrities and affluent individuals conduct themselves. How much is truly sufficient? They purchase homes at outrageous prices, yet their desire for more seems insatiable.”

"If they receive approval for this, what's going to happen next? Average folks can hardly afford to live here anymore; just take a look at how it turns into a deserted place during winter."

"When I relocated here in 2002, the fields atop that cliff were filled with grazing livestock. Nowadays, all that remains are large houses that sit vacant for the majority of the year."

"I apologize, but I can't help but feel really emotional about this."

A long-time resident of Mawgan Porth, who has called the area home for 18 years and prefers to remain anonymous, commented: "The condition of that road is chaotic. The constant flow of lorries makes it feel like a perpetual construction zone."

"Honestly, things are quite bleak. Since I arrived, everything has transformed completely. It's really not acceptable, especially considering she doesn't reside here all year."

"Although none of them reside here on a permanent basis, the place is constantly under construction, which isn't particularly fair to those who do live here full-time."

"Cate is definitely a supporter of the community; she and her family attend the surf school, and they are genuinely great people."

"But how much additional support do you require? She was granted approval for what she already has, yet now she seeks even more."

"It's bleak, but I don't believe we'll ever see an end to this situation during our lifetime."

Regardless of the merits or drawbacks, there is currently no indication that the construction surge in Mawgan Porth is diminishing. Recently, two additional traditional homes in the village have been put on the market, priced at £4 million and £2.3 million, both featuring planning approval for a five-bedroom replacement.