City plan promises 320 homes as costs cut

Plans to kickstart a development of hundreds of homes in Truro have been submitted to Cornwall Council.

Treveth, the council's arms-length construction company, has put forward an outline application for up to 320 homes, 400 student bed spaces and commercial space as part of a revamped scheme now expected to cost between £120m and £150m.

It is a sharp drop from earlier estimates, which had climbed to nearly £200m as inflation and economic downturns stalled progress.

The proposed development, now called Pydar Gardens, had been reshaped to respond to reduced retail demand, shifting footfall and more flexible working patterns across Truro, said Treveth.

In planning documents, the applicants said the scheme "would still remain very much in the spirit of the [original] consent", which was given in 2021, said the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

The application stated the revised design was "a realistic and viable option for the site" and argued it was "better reflective of the area in terms of layout, scale and character".

The 4.5-hectare (11.1-acre) site, which has already been cleared, would centre around a large green space designed for relaxing, play and community life, developers said.

Streets linking the area to the city centre were also set to be upgraded with more greenery and safer walking routes, they added.

Project bosses said the heights of buildings would mostly range from four to six storeys, with new walking and cycling routes connecting nearby green spaces and the River Allen.

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