PLANS for a delayed ‘new town’ for Cornwall, which is costing hundreds of millions of pounds, do not constitute a “road to nowhere”, council leaders told worried councillors on Wednesday [December 17].

Cornwall Council’s Liberal Democrat/Independent cabinet discussed the way forward for the local authority’s flagship 4,000-home Langarth Garden Village development on the outskirts of Truro.

The first tranche of homes was due to be delivered by the end of 2026, but there is no sign of that happening after the project became a victim of the economic downturn and its effect on the building market.

A Truro city councillor went as far as suggesting to cabinet members that as the situation has become “so serious”, Cornwall Council should possibly abandon the whole scheme.

The meeting heard the project is a year behind schedule, but there is hope that work will begin on the first 350 homes within the next three years.

Council leader Cllr Leigh Frost said: “I will be bloody livid if there are no houses at Langarth by the end of this term.”

The development of Langarth Garden Village was first mooted over ten years ago. Cornwall Council originally allocated £159 million to support it, and LGV Property Holdings - a limited liability partnership (LLP) – was created to oversee what will effectively be a new Cornish town the size of Wadebridge. The LLP is 98 per cent owned by Cornwall Council and two per cent owned by its construction company, Treveth.

Truro city councillor Armorel Carlyon aired her concerns about an agenda item concerning Langarth. “The report omits details of basic provisions, sewage, geothermal, etc. £261m spent – not one house built,” she said.

“In my opinion, the situation has become so serious that the full council needs to evaluate the present situation and find a way forward or abandon the whole project.”

Cllr Tim Dwelly, cabinet member for economic regeneration and investment, responded that the “early delivery” of 350 homes was being explored for healthcare, key worker and student accommodation at the Penventinnie village element of Langarth on the edge of Treliske hospital.

He added that the LLP is also seeking funding support from Homes England to bring forward the first phase of parks and infrastructure, including sewerage, drainage and surfacing, which will ensure delivery of the scheme as a whole.

“It’s important to note the Garden Village is a 40-year project and any scenario has to be run at today’s prices, which currently reflect a recent period of static revenues and inflated costs,” he added.

“This is just a point in time which is experiencing market failure and the return on the council’s investment is not just financial, but represents a new community, with great social and political value, in addition to meeting housing needs and creating the opportunity for job growth and expansion of local businesses.”

Cllr Dwelly added that if the project was abandoned “we would be left with blight, nothing being developed at all”, adding: “I don’t think abandoning a whole part of Truro, and I would include Pydar in that, would be a responsible approach.”

He added that Homes England is “absolutely clear” that Langarth is a top priority for future funding. “In terms of the quite understandable frustration people have about ‘where are the homes?’, that is partly down to the state of the national market,” he continued.

“We are nevertheless going to see, during this administration, the beginning of – and perhaps even the completion of – over 300 homes nearest to the hospital.” He stressed there will be no second homes or holiday lets allowed on the site.

The meeting heard market testing has shown a strong interest from developers – including a significant national house builder – to build the homes.

Truro Green Party councillor Karen la Borde said: “We have spent an awful lot of money on this development and we are now in a position where we must go ahead. We cannot not, otherwise we’ve got a road to nowhere.”

She raised concerns about a plan for a District Heat Network – which would heat the new homes – and was now behind schedule, with £9m already spent on new pipework for it.

“We’re a year behind the schedule for Langarth – that’s costing us £5m a year. As a matter of urgency I think this whole project should be reviewed.”

Strategic director Phil Mason, who has been accountable for the Langarth project since its inception, said the plans for the District Heat Network – which has received a £16m government grant – had been delayed as the council is still negotiating an agreement with the Royal Cornwall Hospital Trust as the plan is for it to heat Treliske hospital as well as Langarth.

He stressed the aim to start building 350 homes would get the scheme back on schedule.

Cabinet members endorsed and supported LGV Property Holdings LLP bringing forward a full business plan for scheme delivery during the first quarter of the 2026 financial year.