What price will city pay for second park and ride scheme?

By kmiddleton

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.

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.

Acceptable design

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.

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.

"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 price we're paying for it is too high."