Truro could be on the brink of a significant housing expansion, with over 300 new homes proposed in two major developments within half a mile of each other.
The Tregothnan Estate has sought a planning performance agreement (PPA) for up to 200 properties across two adjacent sites at Tolgarrick, Truro – nestled between Highertown and the Newham Trail. An environmental impact assessment is also being requested ahead of an outline application submission.
Two plots, currently serving as grazing land, have been identified for development – 120 homes at Treyew Farm, Highertown, and up to 80 on land west of Green Lane, Truro. At least 35% of the 200 dwellings would be designated as affordable homes.
The plans also encompass "extensive areas of greenspace", featuring informal recreational space, on-site play areas, allotments and sustainable drainage systems. Access would be provided via two entrances off the A390 and one from Penwethers Lane.
According to a planning statement: "The Tolgarrick site falls outside but immediately adjacent to the southern edge of the Truro settlement boundary and would form a logical infill development rounding off of the city along the A390. The site sits on a slope that rises up from the Newham Trail up to the ridgeline along the A390.
"Tolgarrick is in a sustainable location with respect to public transport, pedestrian routes and cycle paths and is very well connected to employment, shops and facilities in Truro including schools, supermarkets, GP surgery, pharmacies, hospital, banks, pubs, restaurants, convenience and comparison retail.
"Whilst primary schools can be accessed within the walk catchment, the new secondary school academies fall outside, but the site has access to the A390 bus corridor which serves Richard Lander School and Truro & Penwith College at Gloweth."
It further added that the development could integrate with the existing landscape by retaining key features: "In terms of wider potential impacts upon visual amenity and landscape character, the site offers the opportunity to retain the field boundary hedgerows and trees into any future layout, along with further complementary enhancements, thus retaining the characteristic vegetation pattern prevalent across the site and local area."
The expansion of Truro is also referenced as a precedent for sensitive development: "Truro has already spread beyond the 'bowl' along the A390 and it is well demonstrated by the new Lidl building, New County Hall and built development west of Penwethers Lane that development can be located here and designed in a sensitive manner to reduce visual prominence – see photo below showing a long distance view of these existing developments in the landscape."
There are also plans fore more than 100 new homes in the vicinity of Old County Hall. Cornwall Council's development company, Treveth, has submitted two planning applications for a site off Treyew Road in Truro.
The combined applications aim to deliver 116 homes for local residents, encompassing affordable housing, open market rental properties and open market sales properties.
The first phase of the development is a full application for 53 homes, with an outline application covering phases two to five and an additional 63 properties. The fifth phase includes the land of Truro Fire Station, which forms part of the site and would be developed should the fire station decide to relocate.
Phases one to four are planned to be constructed around the existing fire station.
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