16/08/2024
The Church Commissioners for England has secured resolution to grant planning permission for a new 315-home community to the north of Falmouth, Cornwall. The 13.4-hectare masterplan connects new homes, a local centre and green space with the town’s existing community and its river’s harbour.
“Our proposals support the Cornwall Local Plan’s vision for the sensitive growth of Falmouth and are in line with the Archbishop’s Commissions’ vision for sustainable, safe, stable, social and satisfying homes and communities,” said Matthew Naylor, Team Lead, Strategic Land at the Church Commissioners. “Located near the Penryn River harbour, the new community will support a mix of existing retail and community uses alongside a network of accessible green space.”
The planning permission will deliver one of Cornwall Council’s strategic allocations, contributing to the vision for growth set out in the Cornwall Local Plan. In line with this plan, a full 35% of the homes will be affordable. The new community will feature a mix of housing types for families, first-time buyers, and the elderly, meeting local needs, and will be supported by a new local centre.
The community will be in short walking and cycling distance from a range of existing leisure, retail, and cultural facilities in Falmouth, including art galleries, cinemas and theatres. A number of schools and colleges – including Falmouth University, one of the country’s leading arts universities – and sports facilities such as the Falmouth Cricket Club, are nearby.
The scheme will feature new public footpaths and public open space, with green corridors connecting the new homes, play areas, and informal parkland. New walking and cycling routes that provide access to the wider area will be supported by strong transport connections, including a local bus network, three railway stations, and vehicle access via the A39. The site is bordered by the A39 to the north, Union Road to the west and Falmouth Road to the east.
Falmouth and the ancient town of Penryn are famous for their historic role as a hub of international communication and the Falmouth Packet Service, which conveyed news overseas. Today, Falmouth is celebrated for its contributions to arts, culture and naval traditions, notably as the host of the largest sea shanty festival in Europe and classic regattas.
The Church Commissioners’ strategic land pipeline is suitable for the delivery of approximately 32,000 homes across England, of which 8,000 were subject to live planning applications in 2023.