Truro’s Pydar development is finally moving ahead after delays due to antisocial behavior, promising new homes and community spaces for residents.
Truro: The long-awaited Pydar development is finally getting back on track. This project aims to bring 300 new homes and various community spaces to the city. It’s been a bit of a rollercoaster ride, with delays and some serious complaints about the area looking like a “bomb site.”
Originally, the project was set to cost around £170 million, but that number has likely gone up. Demolition started in June 2022, but things have been quiet since then. Now, the Cornwall Council is ready to take some big steps forward.
They’re planning to submit a new application to change some aspects of the project. Plus, they’ll finish demolishing the remaining buildings to tackle the antisocial behavior that’s been a problem. It’s about time, right?
Phil Mason, the council’s strategic director, mentioned that they need new planning permission to meet updated fire safety rules. This will allow them to add more homes and break the project into smaller phases. That way, they can attract different developers instead of relying on one big player.
Mr. Mason also pointed out that the demolition is necessary to deal with the issues caused by empty buildings. The remaining structures include Truro Bowl and Pydar Pop-Up, which have been attracting trouble.
He’s optimistic that these changes will make the project more appealing. They’re also looking to work with Homes England for extra funding to keep things moving.
Last year, there was some drama when the council decided to inject an additional £10 million into the project to prevent it from falling apart. Now, they’re looking to reduce that amount to £3.5 million over two years.
Tim Mulholland, the managing director of Treveth, the council’s construction company, reassured everyone that the project will still happen, despite the economic challenges. They’re ready to start demolition, but they had to wait due to bird nesting season.
He mentioned that while the cost of living crisis has slowed things down, there’s still a lot of interest from potential hoteliers and residential developers. It’s just a matter of waiting for the right time to move forward.
Tim believes this project will make a huge difference for Truro. It’s ambitious and could really change the game for Cornwall. The goal is to show that they’re ready for big projects, not just the usual small stuff.
The Pydar development aims to create a vibrant community space, focusing on sustainability and energy efficiency. It’s all about making Truro a go-to destination for locals and visitors alike.
