Proposals for a retirement community on the outskirts of Truro to offer much-needed residential and care facilities for Cornwall’s ageing population will go on display later this month.
Plans comprising a 90-bed residential care home, incorporating a step-down facility for people leaving hospital, plus recreational and community centre are being proposed for Pencoose Farm off Kenwyn Road.
The scheme would offer 173 homes including family dwellings, affordable homes, with a number of care and care assisted dwellings. It is anticipated that no less than 25% of the open-market housing will be designated affordable and may also include self-build plots for local people.
A public consultation takes place next Monday (October 12) at Kenwyn Church’s Lychgate room, where members of the public can view the plans, find out more and help shape the development.
As part of the proposed scheme, around one third of the 10 hectare site would be offered up as community open space.
Development company FootstepsInvestments (Truro) Ltd has been developing the plans over two years, in consultation with Truro City Council, the Truro and Kenwyn Neighbourhood Plan and local councillors, to make best use of the site.
The proposals respond both directly and positively to a needs assessment, which states that in the next 15 years, there are expected to be 200,000 people aged 65 and over living in Cornwall.
Martin Birkett, director at Footsteps Investments, said: “We have really done our research, have looked carefully at needs for elder care and how we see the population of Truro and, more widely, Cornwall, shaping over the next 15 years or so.
“We are aware that by 2028, almost 30% of Cornwall’s population with be aged 65 and over. We need to be able to provide suitable housing and care accommodation to reflect this.
“We’ve also considered how our proposals fit in with the landscape. It’s a low density scheme, with around a third being dedicated to green space – in particular the northern part of the site at the brow of the hill, which is most elevated.
“We are still shaping our proposals, and will continue to do so until we submit our planning application, so we would love to hear everyone’s view about everything from affordable housing and self-build plots to our offer for older people.”
The site, off Kenwyn Road adjacent to Kenwyn Vets, is currently farmed by Roger Flexman. A previous planning application to move Truro City Football Club to the site with a new stadium was recommended for approval by council planning officers, but rejected by Carrick District Council in 2008.
The public consultation event takes place on Monday 12 October at Kenwyn Church, from 10.30am to 8pm.
