All three mixed-use developments on Duchy-owned land have been designed in accordance with the Duchy’s comprehensive sustainability strategy and aim to set new standards for sustainable development in Cornwall.
With outline consent now granted, the Duchy will spend the next nine to 12 months working up detailed plans, which will include further public consultation. One of the schemes is in Newquay itself, and the two others are two miles east of the town on an area known as the Newquay Growth Area.
Tim Gray, Development Director for the Duchy of Cornwall, said: “We’re delighted that Restormel’s members have endorsed our outline plans which aim to deliver a range of quality affordable homes, other housing and workspace.
“We have a consortium of committed South West developers on board and would hope to start construction on one or more of the schemes in 2010.
“Despite the economic downturn we remain wholly committed to these projects. As a landowning institution of long-standing we have a different perspective from mainstream developers and take a long-term view. Our plans in Newquay are part of a 20-year vision so we feel well-placed to weather any short-term market conditions.”
All three developments aim to control and minimise carbon emissions by generating renewable energy on site through local biomass energy centres and maximising the energy efficiency of buildings.
The Duchy has taken an holistic approach to sustainability and its strategy includes using local materials wherever possible, minimising construction waste, energy use and generation, water use and conservation, and transport.
The two applications on the Newquay Growth Area follow a masterplan drawn up by Leon Krier, who also prepared the masterplan for Poundbury in Dorset. Car use will be minimised by encouraging walking, cycling and the use of public transport, and the whole area is designed to reduce vehicle speeds, improving pedestrian safety.
In order to create a socially inclusive community, the affordable housing units will be peppered throughout the development and be visually indistinguishable from the private market homes.
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