‘GOLDEN OPPORTUNITY’ TO PLEDGE SUPPORT FOR REGENERATION

Local councillors are being encouraged to support a plan that represents a ‘golden opportunity’ to regenerate 27 acres at the South Crofty site in Camborne.

Crofty Developments Ltd originally submitted their outline application to create a sustainable community development on the land in February 2004.  The application still hadn’t been determined by September this year so, reluctantly, Crofty Developments lodged an appeal with the Planning Inspectorate on the grounds of non-determination. 

‘It was something that we didn’t want to do because we have always felt that this application should be determined locally,’ said Charles Stericker, Director of Crofty Developments. ‘We are proposing a major mixed development on 27 acres of land in the heart of the Camborne – Pool - Redruth community and we firmly believed that local people should be part of the consultation process.  Sadly, however, we were left with no alternative but to go to appeal because we knew that, if we failed to do so before the appeal deadline, we risked continuing delays, potentially running into years.’

With the appeal date set for 6 September 2006, councillors on Kerrier’s planning committee are being asked to decide whether or not they support the application at their meeting on Monday 19 December this year.

‘This is a golden opportunity for local councillors to pledge their support for a scheme that will regenerate an area of land that is generally regarded as an eyesore,’ said Mr Stericker.  ‘We are proposing an urban village development that will include a heritage centre to complement the county’s world heritage bid, affordable and executive housing, offices, shops, industrial units, a health centre and a care home.  It is a £100 million scheme that will result in more than 1000 jobs and our plan has always been to use private, rather than public, investment to fund it.’

Mr Stericker and his team of architects and planners have been working on their development scheme for the last three years.

‘The plans have been drawn up with careful regard for the local regeneration strategy - and for the mine’s working future,’ he said.  ‘By moving the mine’s operations to a six-acre plot around the Tuckingmill Decline, we can transform the remaining 27 acres into a sustainable community development. which includes a route for the east-west link road.  We know the site is an important historical landmark and we believe that our plans – which aim to enhance the landscape, preserve the area’s heritage and boost the local economy - reflect that.

‘Everyone is agreed that something needs to happen at South Crofty – and happen soon.

‘If the planning committee supports our application, we can all move forward together.’

                                                                                                12 December 2005