08.08.08
Cornwall sets the national standard

A groundbreaking blueprint for historic urban regeneration drawn up in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly has been such a success its methods are now being used across the UK.

The Cornwall and Scilly Urban Survey project (CSUS) received investment from Objective One, English Heritage, and the South West Regional Development Agency and was undertaken by Cornwall County Council's Historic Environment Service.

Nick Johnson, Cornwall County Council Historic Environment Manager, said: "This pioneering urban character survey now provides a heritage framework for sustainable development in the 19 towns in this region most likely to be the focus for regeneration initiatives over the next decade. The comprehensive resource helps ensure that agencies drawing up regeneration proposals respect and emphasise each town's historic assets and distinctive local character.

"CSUS has helped change people's attitudes to heritage and culture and is being used by a variety of organisations and individuals including local authorities, architects, private developers, development agencies, residents, visitors and community groups. Illustrated reports trace each town's historical development, key historic buildings are identified and the special character of the towns are defined and explained."

The CSUS methods have now been developed and used to help drive forward regeneration development strategies outside Cornwall. For instance English Heritage has used the methodology in Plymouth and Gloucester.

Carleen Kelemen, Director of the Objective One Partnership Office, added: "CSUS encourages the use of heritage as a focus for economic regeneration, and the promotion and enhancement of local distinctiveness as part of the development process.

"The fact it is now being rolled out nationally demonstrates what an invaluable tool it has already proved to be in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly."

In Plymouth, a character appraisal, by Baxter Associates, of the Abercrombie planned city centre was produced as part of the evidence base for the Local Development Framework. It influenced the content of both the Core Strategy and the City Centre Area Action Plan and is designed to ensure new development opportunities are identified and are implemented in a way that preserves and enhancesthe existing historic town plan and wider urban character.

In Gloucester an urban character survey, also carried out by Baxter Associates, laid the foundation for the city centre development framework.

Mr Johnson continued: "Again, the work was very influential and was a factor in the renaming of the Urban Regeneration Company as the Gloucester City Heritage Urban Regeneration Company. Nationally urban characterisation work is also being used to inform the East Thames Corridor development and it has also been used extensively for the planning framework in Milton Keynes."

In Cornwall the reports in CSUS are already being used extensively to inform heritage regeneration schemes in Launceston, Redruth, Penzance, Helston, Camborne, the Tuckingmill and Roskear Conservation Areas as well as the major regeneration initiatives promoted by the Camborne Pool Redruth Urban Regeneration Company.

For further information please contact Clare Morgan, Media Relations Manager, the Partnership Office, on 01872 223439/07973 813647 or email: cmorgan@cornwall.gov.uk.

The Objective One Programme for Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly has invested in the Cornwall and Scilly Urban Survey project (CSUS) through the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).

Editor's notes:

CSUS cost £454,346 of which £211,396 came from the Objective One European Regional Development Fund (ERDF). Match funding was provided by English Heritage, the South West Regional Development Agency and Cornwall County Council.

The 19 towns in CSUS are towns are: Hugh Town (St Mary's, Isles of Scilly), Newlyn, Penzance, Hayle, St Ives, Camborne, Helston, Penryn, Falmouth, Redruth, Truro, Newquay, St Austell, Bodmin, Camelford, Liskeard, Launceston, Saltash and Torpoint.

All CSUS reports are available to download on www.historiccornwall.org.uk

Clare Morgan
Media Relations Manager
The Partnership Office
Castle House
Pydar Street
Truro TR1 2UD
Mobile: 07973 813647
Telephone: 01872 223439

cmorgan@cornwall.gov.uk

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