06.04.06
St Columb Major to undergo Regeneration Study

Funding has been approved to help regenerate St Columb Major. £55,000 has been granted for a study to help create a long-term plan for the town centre. The St Columb Major regeneration study will examine ways of improving and protecting the natural and built environment. The study will include an historic buildings assessment and recommendations for improving access.

The study is due to begin this month and will be led by Restormel Borough Council. Half of the £55,000 cost of the study will come from the Objective One ERDF (European Regional Development Fund) and the rest from Restormel Borough Council, Cornwall County Council and St Columb Major Town Council. It is expected to take 9 months to complete the study.

Councillor Shirley Polmounter, Restormel Borough Council's cabinet member for Community Affairs, says: "I am very pleased that we can work with the community to enable this historic town to be restored. It is a positive sign that regeneration is being taken seriously in smaller areas of the Borough, in addition to the two main towns."

Objective One has also invested in regeneration schemes in towns across Cornwall including Falmouth, Penryn, Looe, Tintagel and St Just. Carleen Kelemen, Director of the Objective One Partnership, explained: "These regeneration schemes protect this region's historic character and, by improving buildings and public areas, they also give a new lease of life in commercial terms. The improvements already carried out in other towns in Cornwall have been shown to have encouraged people to aspire to higher standards for the appearance of their businesses and buildings."

Councillor Pat Harvey, ward member for St Columb Major says: "I am extremely happy that the funding for the regeneration study has been approved. I look forward to seeing the town revitalised."

The St Columb Major Regeneration Study will involve commissioning an historic characterisation assessment and appraisal in addition to an economic and environmental analysis, which are due to begin in May, and at the end of June respectively. Following this, a Community and Stakeholder Planning Enquiry will be organised to create the Town Centre Regeneration Study. The work undertaken through this project will provide an audit of the available commercial properties in the town, identify measures to improve access to public spaces, commercial services and community facilities, and involve community and statutory bodies in developing an appropriate and feasible programme of action, with clearly defined priority areas.

A steering group will be set up to oversee the work of the regeneration research and a community planning enquiry. This will involve representatives from the St Columb Major Town, Restormel Borough and Cornwall County Councils and the Town Forum. Business proprietors from St Columb Major will also be invited to join the group. The community planning enquiry will invite residents, community members and town employers to agree a town strategy for regeneration with the local authority stakeholders. This event will run for 5 days in October.

For further information please contact Jacqui Pearce of Restormel Borough Council on 01726 223618 or email: jacqui.pearce@restormel.gov.uk.

The Objective One Programme for Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly has invested in the St Columb Major regeneration study through the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).

Editor's notes:

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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