Duchy is slammed over bid for superstore on city site
THE Duchy of Cornwall has been accused of exploiting Truro after offering land for a second park and ride scheme – on the condition it can build a supermarket and homes.
The plans for the "sensitive rural setting" on the east side of the city have sparked controversy, with furious questions being asked about why the 1,200-space scheme is even being considered.
-
Could development of a supermarket and homes on this site signal the beginning of urban sprawl towards Ladock and Probus? Pictures: Sky High Photographs www.skyhighphotographs.co.uk
Prince Charles' private estate owns land where the A390 Newquay Road and A39 from St Austell meet, where a second park and ride could be built to help relieve congestion in the city.
But councillors were furious when they were told the estate has also set its sights on developing homes and a supermarket on the land at the Union Hill junction.
Housing rolling up the hill from the city centre currently stops at the A39 Newquay Road, with only a few lone homes and the cattle market standing on the other side.
Cornwall Council officer Nigel Blackler told councillors at a Community Network Meeting last Monday that if an "acceptable design" can be drawn up it hoped to see a planning application submitted this November, with construction starting in spring and the service opening in summer 2012.
'Challenge'
He said the sensitive rural setting had been identified as the most appropriate site and plans could be consulted on in May.
Mr Blackler said: "The Duchy are very supportive of working with the council" but said the estate's plans "provide us with a particular challenge in an area where there isn't any development at this particular time".
He added: "There is no secret in the fact that the Duchy has aspirations to see other development sited there."
Cornwall Councillor Bert Biscoe said: "This is not about them building a supermarket and very graciously handing over land for a park and ride.
"I have no doubt it's about exploiting the hell out of this part of Cornwall."
Survey work took place on site last week.
Cornwall Councillor Doris Ansari told the meeting: "We ought to be man enough and stand up to the Duchy of Cornwall.
Floodgates
"Once we have started development there we will open the floodgates and have Probus and Ladock merging into Truro.
"Yes, we desperately need an eastern park and ride but I think the price we're paying for it is too high."
26 Comments
View all
by Albert, Truro
Friday, March 05 2010, 12:23PM
“I see you still haven't corrected the obvious error in your piece, re road numbering.
Will this be done any time soon?”
by Bill, Newquay
Friday, March 05 2010, 11:49AM
“There ought to be a county wide rule which says all existing industrial/retail space must be used before new sites can be developed.
Therefore sites like the MFI/Allied stores in Truro would get redeveloped and these existing eyesores removed. There are plenty of examples all over the county where old sites sit doing nothing and new ones are and have been developed.
Why can't the Council do the obvious???”
by Robert, St.Austell
Friday, March 05 2010, 10:28AM
“once again charlie boy shows the people of this county that all he cares about is feathering his own gilded nest.”
by neil, wadebridge
Thursday, March 04 2010, 7:05PM
“if other towns in Cornwall were allowed to expand, it would relieve the pressure on Truro making this unnecessary. As it is, any national store which shows an interest in going anywhere near any other town in Cornwall gets the nimby attitude. Wadebridge in particular seems to be run by wealthy snobs with plenty of time on their hands, who hate to see competition or shops the residents actually want, in the town. Instead we have a bunch of overpriced touristy gift shops and cafes. So off to Truro we go whenever we need stuff. A 50 mile round trip which frankly could be avoided. Let's get decent shops in Bodmin, St Austell etc to alleviate the pressure on Truro”
by Albert, Truro
Thursday, March 04 2010, 7:00PM
“Why not flatten the existing former MFI buildings on the City side of the junction and replace them with a multi-storey car-park? The traffic lights could also be removed and a proper (and less congesting) roundabout could be installed instead.
As for another supermarket, forget it. There's simply no need for any more of these retail monstrosities in Truro.”