Revised plans for major regeneration project set for green light

Revised plans for the regeneration of the run-down Pydar area of Truro have been recommended for approval. The project is set to create jobs, build new low-carbon homes, bring forward green spaces and support economic growth.Earlier plans had been refused in February due to the proposed scale and massing of the buildings and the loss of car parking to serve the city centre.Cornwall Council, in collaboration with Treveth Development, PRP Architects, and Inner Circle Consulting, reworked the proposals to address those comments.The revised plans include changes that reduce the total building area, cutting the non-residential use by 21 per cent. This means that the development’s overall height has been decreased and massing has been reduced to align with the surrounding neighbourhood.Retail remains at less than 2 per cent of the total development while workspace and leisure use will be 10 per cent of the site.The outline plans – which include up to 320 dwellings, 400 student beds and about 177,600 sq ft of non-residential floor space and associated works – are now going before councillors with a recommendation to approve.According to a report to be scrutinised this week, the sustainable development would provide benefits in terms of contributing to housing supply, including the provision of affordable homes. The scheme, which will also incorporate open market homes and student accommodation, will also open up the River Allen as a space to be enjoyed by the community as well as sparking economic benefits from the construction phase. The non-residential floor space – significantly reduced from about 226,000 sq ft – will include leisure, office, hotel, community, small retail, education/innovation and food and beverage units that will also provide economic and social benefits.Subject to securing of the necessary on-site affordable provision, along with other financial contributions, the scheme is said to comply with the Development Plan and the National Planning Policy Framework and is recommended for approval.