Regeneration projects to start in Cornwall after release of 'Town Deal' funding

The first tranche of funding has been released to Cornwall Council to enable Town Deal projects to get underway in Truro, St Ives, Camborne and Penzance.

Truro was awarded £23.6 million to deliver a package of seven transformational projects that together will enhance Truro as a "connected river city".

The Truro Town Deal board and team have been developing a set of business cases to enable the Government to sign off projects and release the funding.

It means grant funding agreements will be issued to projects in the coming months, to allow them to take positive steps towards achieving their goals of delivering improvements in the quality of life for local residents, supporting local businesses, and providing development opportunities.

Alan Stanhope, chair of Truro Town Deal board, said: "This is a huge milestone for Truro. We can start to draw down some significant investment and the real work can begin to put our projects into action.

"This is a result of two years of exceptional work from a committed board of volunteers and a small team to develop our portfolio. Over the past six months, we've been working on very detailed business cases and it's this behind-the-scenes effort that has enabled the Government to release the first part of our Town Deal funding".

Alan added: "We're proud to be able to get finally started in delivering our vision for Truro as a connected river city".

The £88.7 million Town Deal Funding which has been allocated to Cornwall will be invested in over 30 projects and delivered across Truro, Camborne, Penzance and St Ives.

Cornwall Council has received the first instalment of £18.3 million for 2022/2023 for the four towns.

Projects in Truro

The seven projects within the Truro Town Investment Plan are:

• Truro Harbour & Lemon Quay

• Truro Community Hub

• Green Transport

• The Hive at Pydar

• New Life for City Buildings

• Boscawen Park Sports and Recreation Hub

• Royal Cornwall Museum

Community engagement activity is starting to go ahead for some projects ahead of planning applications, including Truro Community Hub and Boscawen Park Sports and Recreation Hub.

You can read more about the Truro Town Deal projects on its dedicated webpage.

Projects in Camborne

Eight projects were given the go ahead to develop business plans last spring and seven of these have now been officially approved.

The eighth, involving large-scale town centre regeneration and replacing the original Buzz Station proposal, has been awarded a six-month extension. Final approval for that business case is expected early next year once the public consultation phase has taken place.

Grant funding agreements will now be issued for the following:

Fibre Park: Led by the Headforwards software development company, this project will create substantial digital workspace and world class connectivity at former Cornwall College and SWEB locations. It will also provide school outreach activities.

Project A-Void Phase 2: Led by BID Camborne, this will offer a further round of improvement grants to local businesses as well as helping to fill vacant shops and refurbishing run-down premises.

Recreation Ground: Led by Camborne Rugby Football Club, planned work includes creating a walking/cycling exercise circuit, replacing the grandstand roof and refurbishing the changing rooms.

Park Gerry Sport and Amenity: Led by Camborne Town Council, it will include transforming the Park Gerry fields into an accessible sports hub with new pitches, a multi games area and new paths and seating.

Food and Farming Enterprise Hub: Led by Duchy College, developments on the Rosewarne campus will promote a 'farm to plate' philosophy that will include a new training kitchen.

Camborne Contemporary Crafts Hub: Led by Create CIC, the Donald Thomas Centre will be refurbished and repurposed to develop a state-of-the-art contemporary craft facility accessible to all.

Life Cycle Camborne (Cycling and Walking Network): Led by Cornwall Council, the Roskear Route will provide key sites with walking and cycling connectivity.

You can read more about the Camborne Town Deal projects on its dedicated webpage.

Projects in St Ives

The nine St Ives Town Deal projects submitted to Government are:

Old Vicarage Flats

Guildhall

St Ives Theatre

Leach Pottery and Digital Trail

St Ives Community Orchard

Delegated Fund for Renewal

Low Carbon Transport

Rugby Club/Affordable Housing

LiveWest retrofit scheme

With initial funds in place, contracts will be issued in the coming months to enable projects to go forward with their plans. These may include commissioning staff and contractors, submitting planning applications if required and securing additional match funding.

While the smaller scale projects will be completed early in the programme, the larger scale transformation projects, which are more complex and may require additional external funding and approval, will take longer to deliver.

However, all are expected to be completed by the end of the Town Deal programme in March 2026.

Gareth Jones, Vice Chair of St Ives Town Deal Board, described it as "great news" for St Ives, saying they would be working with project leads and Cornwall Council to "ensure that these contracts are signed as quickly as possible".

You can read more about the St Ives Town Deal projects on its dedicated webpage.

Projects in Penzance

Seven core projects were approved by the Penzance Town Deal Board, with £21.5 million from the Towns Fund allocated for the area, and these projects have now been officially approved by the Government.

Martin Tucker, Chair of the Penzance Town Deal Board, said: "This is very good news for Penzance and Newlyn and this level of capital funding will allow the various partners to deliver on some very exciting projects that will help to regenerate areas of the town and also bring opportunities for increased training and skills development in some sectors vital to the local economy.

"These projects will help to support the continued revitalisation of the high street and also create sustainable environments for the future".

The projects lined up to benefit from this investment are:

Gardeners House in Morrab Gardens: This will involve the refurbishment of a currently dilapidated building in the heart of the gardens to a high standard, combining modern and sustainable construction methods that respect of the history of this heritage building.

The Waterfront: Supporting the local ambition for the Promenade to become a vibrant zone for sports, events and leisure, the Waterfront project is aiming to create a new indoor sport and activity centre providing affordable access to the Olympic sports of Bouldering and Skateboarding for all.

Penzance Harbour: The refurbishment and modernisation of the Penzance Harbour aims to boost the local marine and engineering sectors and support the long-term economic sustainability of the area by providing new and affordable space for businesses.

Sustainable Travel Network: This transport infrastructure scheme will facilitate and support local ambition of creating a more sustainable and attractive town. The project proposes to transform travel in and around Penzance and create a fully sustainable network of safe and accessible walking, cycling and functional green and open urban spaces.

Market House: The Market House Project seeks to redevelop the vacant portion of this iconic building to attract footfall and bring more vitality at the heart of Penzance Town Centre.

Newlyn Harbour Marine Skills and Resource Centre: Situated in the heart of the ancient harbour, the new Marine Skills and Resource Centre will establish a centre of excellence for learning and development for the county.

Enterprise Funds: This project will provide grants to micro, small and medium sized businesses within the Penzance Town Deal area, including start up and scale up businesses.

You can read more about the Penzance Town Deal projects on its dedicated webpage.

Louis Gardner, Cornwall Council cabinet member for economy, said: "So much work has gone on behind the scenes to get to where we are today and confirmation that projects can now progress is testament to the commitment and vision of the Town Deal Boards.

“Cornwall Council will, itself, be delivering 11 ambitious projects across the four areas of Camborne, Truro, Penzance and St Ives using Town Deal funding to improve connectivity, public spaces, housing and offer grants to businesses.

"I have no doubt that these investments will revitalise the town, and city, centres, improving life for residents and creating sustainable communities now and into the future".

You can find more information about the Town Deal projects on Cornwall Council's website.

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