Approximately 650 new homes – including affordable housing – could be built in phases over the next 20 yearson the edge of the town, along with office and light industrial unitspublic open space and other community facilities
The scheme would be based on land at Tolgus Farm and is led by one of the landowners – local building company Percy Williams & Sons Ltd – together with Westco Properties Ltd, which is part of Devon & Cornwall Housing group (DCH).
A mix of two, three and four-bedroom properties would provide much-needed homes for local families. They will be energy efficient to reduce heat loss and carbon emissions from the buildings and minimise running costs.
As part of the package,improvements would be made to reduce speeds along the A3047 road next to Redruth School,to make it more pedestrian and cycle-friendly, making it easier to access Chapel Street and the Brewery area of the town, as well as improvements to the access and parking of the school.
The quality of the outside space will be paramount, with an emphasis on green space and healthy living – including pedestrian access. It is intended as part of the scheme to make better connections from Redruth to the wider Mineral Tramways system linking the town to the north coast
Critically, the new development will be integrated with the town, with the school at its heart.
A local development of this nature has already been identified as being necessary to meet future growth projections over the next 20 years in Cornwall Council’s emerging strategy for Camborne, Pool, Illogan and Redruth, provided that it can be carefully planned and integrated into the town. The development would help to deliver some of the aspirations that have been set out in the Redruth Action Plan a document supported by the Town Council. The initial phases of the development, together with the road improvements could be completed by 2015, if it gets local backing and planning consent.
The partners are inviting local people to attend the first of a series of public consultations about the plans and share their views and help shape how any development comes forward, as well as provide input into the facilities and services that it should offer, both to new and existing residents.
Kathryn Pennington, Director of Westco Properties Ltd, said: “We want the public to let us know their views about the proposals – which will form part of our planning application submission – and work with us going forward, so that we can provide a development which the local community can be justifiably proud of."
Architects from LHC will be unveiling the plans for the public to view for the first time in the Langman Room, at the Cornwall Centre, Alma Place, Redruth, on Thursday, 1 December, from 2:30-7pm. Representatives from Percy Williams & Sons Ltd and Westco Properties Ltd will also be on hand to answer questions about the scheme and people can fill in questionnaires with their thoughts on the proposals.
Neil Emery, of LHC Architects, said: “The project provides a fabulous opportunity to create a high-quality environment for sustainable homes and other new facilities. The new neighbourhood would help to provide an entrance into Redruth and be properly integrated with the existing town and well connected with the surrounding Cornish countryside. There are many exciting possibilities offered by the development of the site. We have some initial ideas about how to approach the design, but we are really keen to meet local people to see if we’re on the right track.”
Simon Williams, of Percy Williams & Sons Ltd, added: “This is an opportunity to provide Redruth with an entrance which the town deserves, to improve safety and facilities for the school and to bring new life to the town itself.”
