29.06.07
Lecture lays down challenge for economic development

A Cornwall-wide workshop that attracted national figures in the heritage field has tackled the issue of economic development challenges in an historic environment.

The venue for the workshop, 'Regeneration in an Historic Environment', was the CPR Regeneration Headquarters, at Cornwall College, Pool. It was chosen because it sits within part of the Cornwall and West Devon Mining Landscape World Heritage Site as well as being in an area (Camborne, Pool and Redruth) which is targeted for massive regeneration. The workshop, which involved several speakers including two from English Heritage nationally, also included a tour of Robinsons Shaft which is part of the World Heritage Site.

It was the second of two workshops which have been introduced to stimulate discussion before this year's Cornwall Lecture. The awaydays have been sponsored by Stephens and Scown, planned in association with Cornwall Business Partnership and supported by the Objective One Partnership. The Lecture, which will take place on November 26th with Stephens & Scown as lead sponsor, is also supported by SWRDA, First Group (Great Western) and Midas Construction. Technical support for both workshops was provided by Lou Jones Design.

Delegates included representatives from Cornwall County, district and borough councils, the Objective One Partnership Office, South West Regional Development Agency, English Heritage, the Eden Project, Cornwall Business Partnership, and private companies including the Bank of Scotland, Midas, First Great Western and Goldring Yates.

Keith Hambly-Staite, Cornwall Lecture Programme Director, said: "This is the first time this variety of delegates has been brought together to discuss this topic. I wanted this workshop to be a challenge to developers, planners and so on as to how we use the World Heritage Site inscription and Cornwall's rich built inheritance for our future prosperity."

Speakers were Ian Lamond, Partner and leader of the planning team at Stephens and Scown, Dr Alyson Cooper, Carrick District Council Conservation Team leader, Nigel Tipple, Chief Executive of CPR Regeneration, Chris Smith OBE, Director of Planning and Development (West) English Heritage, Ian Morrison, English Heritage Team Leader for Devon and Cornwall, and Nick Johnson MBE, Head of Cornwall County Council's Historic Environment Department.

The first event, at the Met Office Exeter headquarters, had focussed on environmental influences such as climate, water and energy, which will have an impact on the way we must design and develop our future built environment. It won praise from Jonathan Davis, Director of Knowledge and Skills at CABE, the government's advisory body on architecture, urban design and public space.

Andy Steele, Chief Executive of Stephens and Scown Solicitors, added: "These events are intended to promote discussion and we are looking to develop the Cornwall Lecture from its initial concept of providing information and topics of local interest to one that results in actions that really benefit the people of Cornwall."

Mr Hambly-Staite continued: "We were heartened by the strong endorsement from CABE for the work we were doing at our last event. This event aimed to bring together similar people and it is hoped it will lead to a progressive partnership to ensure that a marvellous heritage asset bequeathed to us by our ancestors can be used for the economic growth needed for the prosperity of Cornwall in the future."

Thelma Sorensen, Chair of Cornwall Business Partnership, said: "The recent designation of this region's World Heritage Site status is a tremendous achievement for all those involved. However, there are challenges surrounding development in designated historic areas and any initiatives to resolve what developers could perceive as obstacles are to be welcomed. I feel strongly that we can capitalise on this designation by delivering some inspirational buildings for the future which, while being sympathetic to the historic environment, are still economically progressive."

The Cornwall Lecture was established in 1995 as part of the In Pursuit of Excellence initiative which aimed to recognise and promote excellence in education and business in Cornwall.

The Lecture puts the spotlight on a different topic each year. Earlier lectures have looked at design and architecture, finance, cultural heritage, tourism, environment, agriculture and other topics of importance to the social and economic well being of Cornwall.

For further information please contact Clare Morgan, Media Relations Manager, Objective One Partnership, on 07973 813647 or email cmorgan@cornwall.gov.uk.

Editor's notes:

This year the Cornwall Lecture will be called Designing a Better Future, chaired by Robin Nicholson CABE Commissioner, and delivered by Matthew Taylor, Chief Executive of the Royal Society of Arts.

The role call of previous speakers is impressive. It includes Sir John Banham, Chairman, Whitbread plc and the Patron of IPE; Prue Leith, Chairman, Royal Society of Arts; Sir Nicholas Grimshaw, Architect, Grimshaw
Associates, architect of the world famous Eden Project at St Austell; Adair Turner, Director General, CBI; Sir Edward George, Governor Bank of England; Simon Jenkins, Columnist, The Times; Mark Byford, Director BBC World Service; Jonathon Porritt, Programme Director, Forum for the Future and Chairman of the UK Sustainable Development Commission; Tom Wright, Chief Executive, Visit Britain; Sir Neil Cossons, Chairman of English Heritage; Lord Haskins, Chairman of a panel of distinguished speakers; Professor Paul Robertson, Visiting Professor of Music and Medicine, Peninsula Medical School and Cultural Leader, World Economic Forum; and Professor Raymond Tallis, Emeritus Professor of Geriatric Medicine, University of Manchester.

Clare Morgan
Media Relations Manager
Objective One Partnership Office
Castle House
Pydar Street
Truro TR1 2UD
Mobile: 07973 813647
Telephone: 01872 223439

cmorgan@cornwall.gov.uk

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