THE first stage of a plan to build more than 100 new homes behind Old County Hall in Truro city centre has been approved.

Cornwall Council’s development company Treveth previously submitted two planning applications for the site off Treyew Road. These combined would deliver 116 homes for local people including affordable housing alongisde open-market rental and sales properties on 1.3-hectares of land.

Phases 2 to 5 of the project, to deliver 63 homes, have been approved by planning officers with conditions. Phase 1 for 53 homes is still awaiting a decision.

Phases 1-4 of the development are designed to be delivered and occupied around the fire station in its existing location, “taking into consideration its operational impact on future occupants”, while Phase 5 is for “future-proof master planning” should the fire station choose to relocate.

Previously, the proposed site was largely occupied by Cornwall Council as an extended campus of Old County Hall. The main access to the site is from Treyew Road, with two accesses for vehicles and pedestrians via Wheal Golden Drive and Avondale Road.

The application includes retaining and resurfacing the existing spine road. High quality mature trees will be retained within landscaped green spaces, maintaining the ‘campus’ character of the existing site.

The proposals will provide a mix of two-, three- and four-bedroom houses catering for different needs, from traditional family homes with back gardens to more contemporary mews houses with a compact footprint and courtyard amenity. A gateway feature apartment building will be sited at the entrance from Treyew Road.

A suitable level of parking is proposed, with each home having a minimum of one car parking space and one cycle storage space per bedroom.

Attractive routes will encourage active travel by pedestrians and cyclists, while a series of green spaces and shared amenities will foster a sense of community.

For more details see planning application PA25/02194 on Cornwall Council’s planning portal.