The leader of Cornwall Council has welcomed news that outline planning permission has been granted for a major scheme to transform part of Truro, calling it “a vision that personifies our aims”.
Plans to regenerate the run-down Pydar area of Truro to create jobs, build new low-carbon homes, deliver green spaces and support economic growth were approved by the Strategic Planning Committee today (Thursday, September 23).
Council leader, Linda Taylor, said: “We have said that we want Cornwall to be a place where our residents can start well, live well and age well and these plans tick all of those boxes.
“We have set out our plans for vibrant, safe, communities and a thriving and sustainable Cornwall and the vision for Pydar personifies that.
“I welcome the committee’s decision today and look forward to seeing the scheme progress.”
Stephen Rushworth, Portfolio Holder for the Economy, said: “Our high streets and cities are facing big challenges and that’s why we need to invest in projects that support our city centre, create jobs and provide homes for people of all ages.
“We have worked with residents, businesses, the City Council and other stakeholders to make sure the proposals maximise the benefits for the city.”
Olly Monk, the Council’s Portfolio Holder for Housing and Planning, said: “This will be an exciting neighbourhood that will revitalise a run-down part of the city and provide much-needed affordable homes, as well as improve access to nature and provide more opportunities.
“It’s not just about homes – it’s about building communities and that’s what will happen here.”
The Council worked with its development partnership, Treveth, PRP Architects and Inner Circle Consulting to rework the proposals based on feedback from the February meeting of the Strategic Planning Committee, where permission for the scheme was refused.
The revised vision reduced the total building area by 10,500sqm and brought non-residential use down by 21 per cent. The result was a reduction in the development’s overall height and massing to align it more closely with the surrounding neighbourhood.
The development will deliver 320 homes, of which 35 per cent will be affordable as a mix of affordable rent – including key worker and later living homes – and shared ownership/discounted market sale.
In addition to providing new homes, the development will create more than 3.5 acres of public spaces, plant more than 100 trees and provide new garden areas with accessible riverside paths for everyone to use. For comparison, Pydar will be creating green space the equivalent to three times the size of Lemon Quay.
Retail uses remain at less than two per cent of the total development, with workspace and leisure use at 10 per cent, thereby maintaining the focus on homes.
The resubmitted proposals also include retaining the Moresk/Oak Way car park, only making it part of the development once there is evidence that the rest of the scheme does not impact on nearby residential areas and that there is sufficient parking in Truro.
Pydar will also contribute to the Council’s aim to be net carbon-neutral by 2030, with 60 per cent of its power generated through renewable sources.
Now that outline permission has been granted, further planning applications will follow to determine the finer details of the plans, with the aim for work to start on the redevelopment next year.
To view full details of the scheme following the Strategic Planning Committee’s decision, visit the online planning register and search using application number PA21/04889. More information is also available at the pydar.co.uk website and on social media via @pydartruro on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
Story posted on September 23, 2021
