Hopes of a significant revival of building activity in Cornwall as the UK emerges from recession have been boosted by a bullish commentary from one of the south west’s leading firms of architects.
In a record-breaking run for the company, Truro-based CSA Architects has secured planning permission for projects together worth more than £100 million in the last three months.
CSA cites the new Cornwall Council planning system and Convergence funding as key factors and report an “unmistakable” revival of optimism and activity among property developers.
“We currently have some fantastic projects on our books and it is very clear that developers are wanting to invest and build once more,” said managing director Justin Dodge. “We are seeing early signs of a resurgence in the housing sector in particular.
“Cornwall’s construction industry is very much dependent on schemes achieving planning success. Planning approvals enabling developments to proceed are key to the industry’s survival.”
Dodge added: “We have been working very closely with the new Cornwall Council to achieve more planning consents in the last three months than at any time in our history, and this will all add up to a significant boost for Cornwall’s economy.
“A number of these schemes – approved and in the pipeline – will qualify for Convergence funding, which can enable such projects to proceed more quickly than if wholly private-financed.”
