MULTI million pound plans to regenerate the area around Newquay Train Station are on track.

Feasibility and design studies are being funded through a £200,000 grant from the Good Growth Fund through the Town Regeneration and Investment Programme (TRIP) to explore the future potential of the Station Quarter area.

The long-term vision includes a "high-quality transport interchange" and opportunities for mixed-use development, which may include housing, commercial space and student accommodation. Plans to create a new council service hub on the site of the adult education office in Tolcarne Road have already been given the go ahead.

The masterplan being devised, which is being led by Cornwall Council, follows Mid Cornwall Metro rail and public realm projects being undertaken that are intended to act as a catalyst for the future, wider regeneration of the Station Quarter.

A spokesperson said: “This project will fund feasibility and design studies to explore the future development potential of Newquay’s Station Quarter, which is an important strategic site identified in the Cornwall Local Plan and promoted to investors through the council’s investment brochure and UKREiiF.

“With improved rail infrastructure and services delivered through the Mid Cornwall Metro project, and following engagement with landowners, the time is right to investigate how the station area can be reshaped and upgraded. The study will assess design options to enhance the visitor experience, improve connectivity, and unlock opportunities for mixed-use development.

“The outcomes will support strategic decision-making and help position the Station Quarter as a key gateway to Newquay, contributing to the town’s long-term regeneration and economic growth.”

Mayor Cllr Drew Creek, deputy mayor Sarah Thomson and Newquay central Cornwall councillor Joanna Kenny have attended meetings about the scheme. The councillors discussed what they were told at Newquay Town Council’s meeting on Wednesday, December 3.

Cllr Kenny said: “We have been talking about the Newquay Train Station area development since at least 2015. There is finally some movement. Funding has been obtained to develop the strategy area of the station further. A design team has now been appointed to put together the first draft.

“We have been to the first meeting and its early days. What they are talking about producing is a pre masterplan. The idea is that they are going to develop the area and make use of the wasted space. They are going to provide housing and commercial so you will still get shops.

“You will have housing on top of the commercial side. It will happen and it is going to be very expensive. They will be looking at grant funding but at least it’s got past being just some idea for the future.

“One of the suggestions they are talking about is providing student accommodation, but we are not in the business of solving Falmouth and St Austell’s problem by providing housing for students here.”

Mayor Cllr Drew Creek said: “I was interested to have a walk around the station quarter and to discuss the scheme its sounds like a really interesting project.

“I heard about the student accommodation idea. We have got the Newquay University Centre here and we are about to open up the Mid Cornwall Metro to Falmouth and Penryn, so I thought it could particularly be an opportunity to bolster our nightlife economy. Market forces will determine the student accommodation idea.”

Cllr Kenny replied: “It’s an interesting one. Personally, I think we need housing for local people and we certainly need housing for the people who work in Newquay.

“If someone comes along and says they are going to invest millions in developing student residence it may be that we are unlikely to say no.”

Deputy mayor Sarah Thomson said: “Students would not be able to afford the commute quite frankly if they are struggling to live. They are not going to live in Newquay to commute to St Austell, which has much cheaper accommodation rather than paying how much that rail fare will be everyday.

“I don’t think they have thought that through. Just because they are thinking of student accommodation in Truro for Falmouth. It’s a pile of rubble at the moment. I think the whole idea of student accommodation is just getting on a band wagon.”