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Partnership paves way for regeneration
26 October 2009
A landmark public private partnership to pave the way for new
housing, employment space and a resumption of commercial mining at
South Crofty mine in Cornwall was announced on Friday (October
23).
Local regeneration agencies and mine operators Western United
Mines (WUM) have agreed a co-operation framework to look at how
land at Dudnance Lane in Pool can be used to achieve the wider
regeneration of the area.
The agreement is between WUM, the South West RDA (Regional
Development Agency), Cornwall Council and CPR Regeneration, the
urban regeneration company for Camborne, Pool and Redruth.
It allows WUM to concentrate on relocating the South Crofty mine
surface infrastructure to land that is part-owned by Cornwall
Council. The mine buildings will include a processing mill.
This in turn will free up more than 18 acres of the former mine
site and facilitate use of adjoining land that is essential to the
wider regeneration of the area. In total some 42 acres would be
redeveloped creating up to 1,000 jobs over the next 10 years,
including the mine operation.
As a result of the agreement to work together, a development
blueprint funded by the South West RDA has been drawn up for the
South Crofty and Dudnance Lane sites, to include opportunities for
new homes, offices and leisure use, and incorporating the new East
- West road link to relieve traffic on the A3047.
It includes new 'green links' connecting the neighbouring
Heartlands project to the Red River Valley via a series of foot and
cycleways. The blueprint is the subject of a public exhibition
today.
Sandra Rothwell, head of regeneration for the South West RDA in
Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, said: "This is a huge step
forward in the regeneration of Camborne, Pool and Redruth and the
result of a lot of hard work by the RDA and its partners to come up
with a shared vision that aims to transform this part of Pool and
create hundreds of jobs."
David Brewer, chairman of the CPR Regeneration, said: "The
Crofty area is key to the successful regeneration of Camborne, Pool
and Redruth. With the work on Pool Innovation Centre, Heartlands
and now these developments coming forward, we can really see
activity taking place on the ground which is bringing dynamic
change to the area."
Alan Shoesmith, chief executive of Western United Mines said:
"Several years of dogged determination have resulted in the
landmark proposals on display today and the whole county of
Cornwall will be the beneficiary. Our proposals for 21st century
poly-metallic mining operations will maximise the opportunity from
Cornwall's mineral resources. This, alongside our partners'
proposals for visionary regeneration, will provide substantial
economic benefit to the whole region for many years to come."
Carolyn Rule, Cornwall Council cabinet member for the Economy
and Regeneration, said: "This is a vitally important area for
regeneration and the council would be delighted to see mining
activity return to South Crofty along with new housing and other
business opportunities. Cornwall Council is committed to building a
comprehensive plan for this area that will bring great benefits to
the local communities - today's announcement is a big step in the
right direction."
As well as the new development blueprint, today's exhibition
includes WUM's relocation plans, including how the proposed new
mine processing mill building could look. A planning application is
expected before the end of the year.
Also on display will be the Cornwall Council's proposals for the
next stage of the proposed link road between Redruth and Camborne,
connecting Dudnance Lane and Dolcoath Avenue by crossing the South
Crofty site. A planning application has already been submitted.
And CPR Regeneration will showcase a proposed landmark office
building on land at East Hill junction, with an outline planning
application expected before the end of the year.
The exhibition runs 10.30am to 8pm in the Botallack Room in the
Berlewen Building (former Camborne School of Mines) off Trevenson
Road.
Ends
For more information contact:
South West RDA
Jason Clark
Deborah Clark Associates
01208-77900
07980-834368
jason.clark@dca-pr.co.uk
Western United Mines
Sue Bradbury
Sue Bradbury PR
01872 863863
sue@suebradburypr.com
CPR Regeneration
Alice West
Communications Manager
01209 722013
aw@cprregeneration.co.uk
Cornwall Council
Miles Davis
Communications Officer
01872 324423
mdavis1@cornwall.gov.uk