New development on historical site

Land that was once home to a world-renowned industrial foundry has been re-developed to provide 56 affordable homes in Camborne, Cornwall.

Originally occupied by Holman Brothers, Cornwall's largest manufacturer of industrial equipment, the site had become derelict over recent years but was given a new lease of life by Coastline Housing in an £8.4 million development project.

After four years of renovation and construction, the former industrial buildings have gone with properties at the new Trevithick View already let to local people with 12 sold through a shared ownership scheme.

Funding for the development was secured from the Homes and Communities Agency, Cornwall Council and the Heritage Lottery Fund.

The industrial significance of the site posed special problems during development, requiring consultation with the National Heritage Memorial Fund, English Heritage, the Heritage Lottery Fund and Unesco World Heritage, in addition to Camborne Regeneration Forum, the Camborne Pool Redruth Regeneration Company and the Camborne, Roskear, Tuckingmill Townscape Heritage Initiative.

Robert Nettleton, Chief Executive of Coastline Housing, said: “This has been much more than just a development scheme for Coastline Housing. It has been about the regeneration of a world heritage site in the heart of Camborne that had been derelict and decaying for almost 15 years.

“The transformation has created much needed homes, a sustainable community, and is a shining example of what can be achieved by the close working and determination of organisations.”

Coastline will continue to work with construction partner Mansells to restore the former Public Assembly Rooms adjacent to the current site. This second-phase development will provide a further 18 fully accessible flats for local people, including two wheelchair flats.