PLANS to develop the site of former council offices in St Austell have been revised.

The old Restormel Council buildings off Penwinnick Road, later used by Cornwall Council, have been knocked down and the 3.7-hectare tree-lined site is being prepared for a mixed-use redevelopment.

Cornwall Council’s arms-length construction company, Treveth, acquired the site in the autumn of 2023 and is set to build new homes, prioritised for local people, and a small commercial centre.

Town councillors have been given an update on the proposals by Treveth. They were told the demolition of the site had been completed and that ecological surveys, including bat surveys, had been carried out.

Treveth executive Emma Rodgers informed councillors that because of various factors, including flood risk and the presence of bats, the total number of homes proposed had been reduced to 76.

The mix of one-, two-, three- and four-bedroom homes and apartments would include townhouses and mew-style properties.

A number of public consultations have been held regarding the proposed development.

Councillors also heard that Treveth hopes to convert nearby Pondhu House and the Stable Block into eight homes. This would require the town council leaving its premises there.

Treveth says there is potential for the commercial centre of the Penwinnick Road development to include office accommodation for the council.

Founded by Cornwall Council in 2019, Treveth has so far built hundreds of homes and dozens of commercial units across the county.

Treveth was established to improve the quality of rented accommodation and to increase the availability of homes across the open market rental and shared ownership sectors for those who live, work in or have family connections in the immediate vicinity of its sites.

Treveth aims to build low carbon developments and strives to achieve carbon emissions targets set for 2030.