Falmouth & Penryn Place Based Issues Paper February 2011

Contents

CORNWALL LDF: CORE STRATEGY PLACE-BASED ISSUES 1 PAPER: FALMOUTH AND PENRYN COMMUNITY NETWORK AREA Summary 1 Purpose of paper 1 Falmouth & Penryn Community Network Area 2 Key Facts 3 Introduction 4 Housing 5 Local Economy 7 Retail and Town Centres 9 Transport and Accessibility 11 Community facilities 13 People 15 Environment 17 Coast 19 Summary and Key Spatial Issues 21 Appendix A: Community Planning Area Visions / Key Objectives 21 Appendix B: Landscape Character information from the 2007 23 Cornwall Landscape Character Assessment February 2011 Falmouth & Penryn Place Based Issues Paper

Contents Falmouth & Penryn Place Based Issues Paper February 2011 1

Cornwall LDF: Core Strategy Place-based Issues Paper: Falmouth and Penryn Community Network Area

Cornwall LDF: Core Strategy Place-based Issues Paper: Falmouth and Penryn Community Network Area

Summary

Table .1

This paper summarises the key emerging issues for the Falmouth and Penryn Community Network Area brought together to inform the Cornwall Core Strategy. It will be added to and kept up-to-date as other relevant evidence becomes available. In updating these papers all previous versions will be archived to ensure it is clear what evidence was available at each stage.

The key issues:

Issue 1 – Manage the location and distribution of housing growth and the delivery of an appropriate mix of housing (including affordable housing and student accommodation).

Issue 2 – Encourage the growth of the docks, tourism and universities.

Issue 3 – Support the retail function of Falmouth and consider its role in relation to other major retail centres.

Issue 4 – Ensure transport infrastructure is adequate to support growth – develop a coordinated transport network.

Issue 5 – Consider location of sports and leisure facilities, harness the full potential of the waterfront and maintain a green corridor between Falmouth and Penryn.

Issue 6 – Provide a strategic framework to balance economic development, maritime industries, protection of the environment and access to the coast.

Purpose of paper

This is one of a series of papers whose main purpose is to identify the key issues for a specific area of Cornwall. There are nineteen Community Network Areas in Cornwall, based on groupings of parishes as shown on the map below. Community Network Areas were introduced to give communities a stronger voice in helping them deal with complex issues. In this they offer a valuable conduit through which proposed Core Strategy area policies can be refined to reflect local issues through engagement, policy formulation, delivery and local ownership. Further information on Community Network Areas can be found at http://www.cornwall.gov.uk/default.aspx?page=12439.

The various issues have been identified from a variety of sources including plans and proposals of other organisations. Parish Plans have been very useful in identifying issues and a summary of the ‘visions’ for each of the Parish Plans undertaken in the Falmouth and Penryn Community Network Area is included in Appendix 1. These place-based papers, along with the topic-based 2 February 2011 Falmouth & Penryn Place Based Issues Paper

Cornwall LDF: Core Strategy Place-based Issues Paper: Falmouth and Penryn Community Network Area

Issues Papers, will form the first stage of the development of options for the Core Strategy. A full list of the Core Strategy Issues Papers accessed on the Council’s website http://www.cornwall.gov.uk/default.aspx?page=22887.

Falmouth & Penryn Community Network Area

Description ~ This Community Network Area comprises of nine parishes: Perranarworthal, Mylor, St Gluvias, Penryn, Mabe, Falmouth, Budock, Constantine and Mawnan. The main towns in the area are Falmouth and Penryn. The coastline is typified by small creeks along the Helford to the west and the Carrick Roads to the east of the area. Outside the two towns the network area is fairly rural, with a scattering of villages and smaller settlements. Falmouth & Penryn Place Based Issues Paper February 2011 3

Cornwall LDF: Core Strategy Place-based Issues Paper: Falmouth and Penryn Community Network Area

Key Facts

Key facts about the Functional Area include the following (follow this link http://www.cornwall.gov.uk/default.aspx?page=20177 for the latest version of Falmouth and Penryn Community Network Profile which gives more information):

PARISHES: Budock, Constantine, Falmouth, Mabe, Mawnan, Mylor, Penryn, Perranarworthal and St Gluvias.

POPULATION: The total population for the Falmouth and Penryn Community Network Area is 40,800, with the population of the main towns being Falmouth - 21635, and Penryn – 6227. There is a slightly higher than average percentage of young people in the 15-19 age group living in Falmouth / Penryn. The population has grown on average 5% between 2001 and 2007, which is below the Cornwall average of 6%.

ENVIRONMENT: The area is bounded by the Helford River to the south and the Carrick Roads to the East, both of which are part of the Fal and Helford Special Area of Conservation. The south coast lies within the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. There are Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs) at Rosemullion and Swanpool and the Lower Fal and Helford intertidal zone is 4 February 2011 Falmouth & Penryn Place Based Issues Paper

Cornwall LDF: Core Strategy Place-based Issues Paper: Falmouth and Penryn Community Network Area

also an SSSI. Surface water, sewage, tidal and fluvial flooding are a problem in Falmouth, Flushing and Penryn. There are building conservation areas at Constantine, Falmouth, Flushing, Mylor Bridge, Penryn and Perranarworthal.

HOUSING: There were 18,184 dwellings in March 2010 within the network area - 1,322 of which were constructed in the period 2001-2010. As of March 2010 the total number of dwellings included 911 second homes and 243 empty homes. In addition there were 155 dwellings under construction and a further 789 permitted dwellings where work has not commenced; when completed these dwellings will be counted towards the overall growth total. The number of affordable houses needed each year for the next 10 years in the Falmouth and Penryn CNA to meet the backlog is 115 (approx. net annual need). Affordable housing need is exacerbated by the prevalence of second homes and holiday homes in the Helford areas. The expansion of the university at Tremough in Penryn has caused house prices to rise here. There is also competition between student housing and tourist accommodation in Falmouth.

EMPLOYMENT: The most prevalent sectors are retail and wholesale, hotels and restaurants and manufacturing. Unemployment is 11.6%, just below the Cornwall average of 12%. There is a cluster of specialist marine industries around Falmouth and Penryn and Falmouth docks is a major employer.

TRAVEL: The A39 is the main road connecting Falmouth/Penryn to Truro: this road tends to be heavily congested at peak times. Connections to the A30 from this area are poor. A branch line railway runs from Truro to Falmouth (via Perranwell and Penryn) linking to the mainline route to London. There are fairly frequent bus services from the villages into Falmouth, but travel by public transport between villages is more difficult. Passenger ferries run from Falmouth to St. Mawes and seasonally from St. Mawes to Place.

FACILITIES: Falmouth is the main retail centre in this area and has many specialist small retailers, although the high street has performed less well over the last few years. Many of the smaller towns and villages manage to retain and support a village hall and shop, although there has been a recent round of Post Office closures. Where permanent facilities do not exist there are often mobile services (banks, shops, fish and chips etc).

Introduction

The following tables provide the link between the ‘Topic Based Issues Papers’ and the ‘Place Based Issues Papers’. Each table explores the evidence relating to this Community Network Area against the main themes from a policy and community viewpoint, and concludes by identifying specific issues. Housing Cornwall

Table .2

Housing: This table will explore the evidence relating to housing – future growth, balance in the housing stock, tenure mix, quality, LDF: deprivation, second homes, in-migration, affordability and housing need. Evidence that highlights specific issues for this area will be identified under ‘Issues for Consideration’ and in the summary box at the end of the table – evidence that shows no difference between this area and the average for Cornwall will not. Core

Evidence & Policy Context Community View(1) Issues for Consideration Strategy A need for 17 affordable homes was Monitor the need for low cost housing Determine the levels of growth established in the North Helford Area in Parish councils should take an active lead for Falmouth-Penryn and for 2000 and there was only one completion in e.g. finding sites for affordable housing larger villages (Constantine, (2) up until 2007 . Establish local housing co-operatives to Gweek, Mawnan Smith, Mabe The draft RSS did direct 2000 houses provide stock of affordable housing under and Budock). Place-based to the ‘Falmouth-Penryn’ urban area local control with a further 800 to be located in an Work with local housing associations What percentage of affordable area of search northwest of Penryn. housing is appropriate – Student accommodation has raised house Penryn should this vary from area to However with the abolition of the RSS prices in Falmouth and Penryn and tourist Falmouth by the current government, housing accommodation in Falmouth is being lost area?

targets will need to be determined more to shared student houses. Issues &

locally. Community Concern about loss of settlement identity Penryn All of the population are in the most due to the scale of housing allocation, deprived 155 of the population nationally which could lead to the joining up of Place Paper: for access to houses and services, settlements

showing the need for more affordable Based housing. Issues Network The percentage of second homes is Falmouth highest in Constantine, Gweek and Mawnan (7.8%), and is 5.3% in Paper February Area and

1 The views in this column reflect the views expressed by communities, predominantly in their parish and town plans, where these are available. A more comprehensive list of views as expressed 201 in parish and town plans in this Community Network Area is shown as an appendix to this document. 1 2 Former Kerrier District Council Village Profiles 5 6 February Penryn Mabe/Budock - above the Cornwall Cornwall average of 4.9%

The expansion of the university is 201 1 Falmouth increasing demand for housing Community LDF:

Summary: There is a need for affordable housing and delivery, especially in rural areas, has not been forthcoming in & recent years. Parish councils could help to facilitate this process by involving the local community in identifying sites. Penryn Core Expansion of the university at Tremough will put further pressure on the housing market. Strategic decisions need to be made about growth around Penryn and Falmouth. Place Network Strategy Based Issues Area Paper Place-based Issues Paper: Falmouth and Local Economy Cornwall

Table .3

Local Economy: This table will explore the evidence relating to the local economy, including regeneration and tourism – economic LDF: activity, unemployment, deprivation, regeneration, dominant industries, occupation levels, skills, and the ability to work locally. Evidence that highlights specific issues for this area will be identified under ‘Issues for consideration’ and in the summary box at the end of the table – evidence that shows no difference between this area and the average for Cornwall will not. Core

Evidence & Policy Context Community View Issues for Consideration Strategy There were 9,400 full time equivalent jobs in the Support local businesses What provision of employment (3) Falmouth/Penryn area in 2008 Promote local produce space should be in rural Falmouth Docks specialises in large ship repairs. markets areas? There is also a cluster of boatbuilding, fuel bunkering Promote mobile businesses Building on the strengths of and specialist marine industries in Falmouth and Protect local shops CUC in Falmouth/Penryn Place-based (4) Penryn, accounting for almost 3000 jobs in total Parish Councils to be actively Consider the strategic The Port of Penryn has made a consistent operating involved in identifying land for importance of the ports of (5)

profit from 2005 - 07. rural workshops Falmouth, Penryn and Truro Penryn

20% of jobs in the area are in retail/wholesale, 14% Student accommodation has for freight, leisure and tourism Falmouth in hotels/catering and 16% in manufacturing, higher raised house prices in Balance of growth in university

than the Cornwall average of 10%. Falmouth and Penryn and and tourism in Falmouth Issues & Community Marine leisure and Tourism are important to tourist accommodation in Penryn Falmouth. Cruise liners dock in Falmouth and the Falmouth is being lost to

shared student houses. Place Paper: Based Issues Network Falmouth Paper February Area and

3 ABI data December 2008 201 4 South West Ports Gateways to Growth 2009 1 5 Ports of Truro and Penryn Sustainability Strategy 2007 7 8 February Penryn town hosts many events such as Tall Ships Race, Marine development Cornwall annual Oyster Festival. opportunities – Expansion of

Combined universities in Cornwall (CUC) have Falmouth Docks – Cruise 201 1 Falmouth campuses in Falmouth and Penryn. The expansion ships – international marine Community

of CUC has brought jobs and boosted the economy gateway LDF: and an innovation centre is planned at Tremough

Campus (Penryn) Expansion of Combined & Penryn

Universities in Cornwall (CUC) Core – enhance business links Place Network Strategy Based Summary: Falmouth has particular strengths in marine industries, education and tourism. There are choices to be made in maintaining and strengthening its function. Issues Area Paper Place-based Issues Paper: Falmouth and Retail and Town Centres Cornwall

Table .4

Retail and Town Centres: This table will explore the evidence relating to retail and town centres – levels of convenience, LDF: comparison and service retail outlets, self-containment, competition from other centres’, shopper needs, capacity for growth, and loss of facilities. Evidence that highlights specific issues for this area will be identified under ‘Issues for consideration’ and in the summary box at the end of the table – evidence that shows no difference between this area and the average for Cornwall will not. Core

Evidence & Policy Context Community View Issues for Consideration Strategy The 2010 Cornwall Retail Study (6) indicates that: - Promote and host local Relationship between retail produce markets function of Truro, Falmouth, Depending on the scale of future housing growth Support local businesses Camborne Redruth and the there is potential for some additional comparison Main shopping street too smaller settlements and rural non food retail space in coming years (i.e. items not long – turns back on areas. Place-based bought on a frequent basis such clothing, footwear, waterfront Enhancement of conservation household and recreational goods) area in Falmouth town centre Only need for additional convenience goods in Prepare contingency

How can shops be retained in Penryn medium/longer term (i.e. the provision of everyday plans in case local shops villages, especially in the more Falmouth essential items such as food, drink, newspapers and fall under threat rural areas such as north confectionery). Promote/support mobile Helford? Issues &

There are limited town centre sites in Falmouth shopping facilities Community Penryn Concern re negative

economic impact on Place

Falmouth has 41,490 sqm of retail floorspace: it has Paper: (7) Penryn town centre of declined significantly in retail performance between proposed park and ride Based 2007 and 2009. facility at Treluswell

Large out of town supermarket on the edge of Penryn Issues Network affected the retail performance of the town centre, but Falmouth

this appears to be rallying following regeneration of the Paper historic centre through a Township Heritage Initiative project. February Area and 201 6 GVA Grimley, Cornwall Retail Study 2010 1 7 dropping from 392 to 483 in the national ranking by Venuescore 9 10 February Penryn Self containment for food shopping in Falmouth is 79% Cornwall and for non food shopping is 54%(8)

Larger villages tend to retain a basic level of convenience 201 1 Falmouth goods shopping, but shops are under threat in more rural Community

areas, with pressure for change to more lucrative uses LDF: (e.g. housing.) Mobile facilities can provide some services

to make up the shortfall. & Penryn Core

Summary: Falmouth does retain specialist and independent retailers, however the retail performance of the town has Place Network fallen in recent years. A holistic approach to enhancement of the town centre, improving the tourism draw, considering Strategy the role of the waterfront and enabling the university to flourish should be considered: the emerging Conservation Area Based

Management Plan is a good source of evidence for this. Issues

Whilst most villages do manage to support a shop and other services, rural services are under threat. Area Paper Place-based Issues Paper: Falmouth and

8 Local Transport Plan2 Annex2 Transport and Accessibility Cornwall

Table .5

Transport and Accessibility: This table will explore the evidence relating to transport and accessibility – opportunities for walking LDF: and cycling, use of private vehicles and public transport, road/rail/air/water networks, and connections within and outside the area. Evidence that highlights specific issues for this area will be identified under ‘Issues for consideration’ and in the summary box at the end of the table – evidence that shows no difference between this area and the average for Cornwall will not. Core

Evidence & Policy Context Community View Issues for Consideration Strategy Self-containment (living and working in Parish/community groups want to be How to reduce congestion on same area) is 67% in Falmouth(9) involved in developing local traffic the A39 There are 7000 internal Travel to Work management solutions (e.g. in village Ensure current transport (TTW) trips in Falmouth-Penryn centres, outside schools, pedestrian infrastructure is improved to Recent provision of passing loop has priority in Falmouth town centre etc) accommodate growth Place-based doubled the frequency of train services Need solutions for parking management How to improve accessibility between Falmouth and Truro, which – different needs in tourist season – for villages around the north temporary sites could be identified locally.

could ease congestion on the A39. Helford Penryn

Transport modelling shows that Improve footpaths and cycle paths to Falmouth significant upgrades to Treluswell and encourage walking and cycling in rural

Treliever roundabouts will be required areas Issues & Community

to enable growth in Falmouth/Penryn. Student parking is a problem in Falmouth Penryn Highway network improvements are and especially in Penryn

planned to ease congestion in Falmouth Maximise opportunity from rail links Place Paper: (Dracaena Avenue) and to reduce traffic flow and improve pedestrian access and Based air quality in Church St/Market St Issues Network Falmouth and Commercial Road Falmouth Penryn.(10) Paper A ‘park and ride’ rail link from Treluswell

to Truro is being considered and a February

feasibility study is being carried out Area and 201 9 SWRA (2005) Travel to work and urban areas of the South West region 1 10 Annex 4 – Regeneration and Congestion Detailed Strategies http://db.cornwall.gov.uk/ltp/marchannex4/section_613155939187.html 1 1 12 February Penryn Summary: Falmouth is located on a peninsula and tends to become congested as routes in and out of the town are Cornwall limited. Penryn also suffers from congestion, especially around junctions with the A39 bypass around the town, which links Falmouth to Truro. Tourism adds significantly to the volume of traffic in the summer, especially for key events. The 201 1 Falmouth

recent upgrade to the Maritime branchline has significantly increased the number of train services between Falmouth Community

and Truro. Besides the A39 there are few main routes through the area and the smaller villages are accessed through LDF: narrow lanes. Public transport for these villages can be limited. Access to services in the rural areas is further constrained as shops in this area are sometimes under threat. & Penryn Core Place Network Strategy Based Issues Area Paper Place-based Issues Paper: Falmouth and Community facilities Cornwall

Table .6

Community facilities: This table will explore the evidence relating to community facilities, including health, recreation and open LDF: space – health care, education, meeting places, formal and informal sports spaces, open space, and loss of facilities. Evidence that highlights specific issues for this area will be identified under ‘Issues for consideration’ and in the summary box at the end of the table – evidence that shows no difference between this area and the average for Cornwall will not. Core

Evidence & Policy Context Community View Issues for Consideration Strategy Self containment for leisure in Falmouth Improve leisure and sports facilities Provision of major sports (11) is 70% Provide more facilities for young people facilities to serve existing There is a minor injury units at Falmouth Assess whether it is viable to provide population and projected (not 24 hr) facilities in village or better to travel to growth in population If major growth is directed at Falmouth Falmouth Strategic location of facilities Place-based and Penryn it will mean that there will There are transport issues for young and/or transport provision be a shortage of leisure facilities, people trying to access facilities

especially in swimming pools and sports Provide transport for young people to Penryn (12) stadia access facilities in Falmouth There is a shortage of open green Access to healthcare for all

space within the towns and Issues & Community

consideration must be given to access Penryn via green infrastructure links from the

towns to the countryside Place Paper: Evaluate the capacity of sewerage treatment in the area to assess whether Based upgrades are required, particularly in Issues Network the light of the protected waters in the Falmouth area Paper February Area and 201 11 LTP2 Annex2 1 12 T&TAAP consultation draft 2008 13 14 February Penryn Summary: Self containment for leisure in Falmouth is fairly high; residents of rural parishes seem to use the range of Cornwall facilities on offer in Falmouth and promote the idea of sustainable transport to these facilities. 201 1 Falmouth Community LDF: & Penryn Core Place Network Strategy Based Issues Area Paper Place-based Issues Paper: Falmouth and People Cornwall

Table .7

People: This table will explore the evidence relating to people, including demographics, education & skills, social inclusion, crime LDF: & anti-social behaviour – age profile, social deprivation, health, safety, perceptions’ of crime, qualifications and skills. Evidence that highlights specific issues for this area will be identified under ‘Issues for consideration’ and in the summary box at the end of the table – evidence that shows no difference between this area and the average for Cornwall will not. Core

Evidence & Policy Context (13) Community View Issues for Consideration Strategy There is a noticeably higher proportion Retain existing adult education premises Consider how strategic policy of 15-19 year olds in Falmouth-Penryn and increase range of education on offer. can affect the diverse compared to the Cornwall average Retain existing healthcare providers in elements of deprivation, such 16% of the population in rural areas as access to housing, facilities, Falmouth/Penryn CNA are within the transport and education Place-based 20% most deprived wards in England compared to a Cornwall average of 11%

The crime rate in Falmouth/Penryn Penryn

Community Network Area (63.7 per Falmouth 1000 population) is above the Cornish

average (52.8) but below national Issues & Community

average (65.3) Penryn There is a wide range of deprivation

across the area, especially in education Place and health. Paper:

The CUC(14) are providing higher and Based tertiary education opportunities locally. Issues Network Falmouth Marine School can provide Falmouth specialist training to support local maritime industries. Paper February Area and 201 13 Link to Community Network Profiles - http://www.cornwall.gov.uk/Default.aspx?page=20177 1 14 Combined Universities of Cornwall 15 16 February Penryn Summary: There are extreme variations in the quality of life within this Community Network Area: the broad range in Cornwall deprivation means that whilst some are relatively well off there are hotspots of deprivation. 201 1 Falmouth Community LDF: & Penryn Core Place Network Strategy Based Issues Area Paper Place-based Issues Paper: Falmouth and Environment Cornwall

Table .8

Environment: This table will explore the evidence relating to the environment – biodiversity, geodiversity, landscape & seascape, LDF: historic environment, flooding, soil, air and water. Evidence that highlights specific issues for this area will be identified under ‘Issues for consideration’ and in the summary box at the end of the table – evidence that shows no difference between this area and the average for Cornwall will not. Core

Evidence & Policy Context Community View Issues for Consideration Strategy Surface water, sewerage, tidal and Maintain Cornish hedges Protection of designated areas fluvial flooding are a problem in Parishes to assist in footpath and public Enhancement of Falmouth Falmouth, Flushing and Penryn verge maintenance town centre There are conservation areas identified Wildlife rangers to monitor wildlife Surface water drainage in Falmouth, Penryn, Flushing, Mylor Local people put a lot of importance on the management Place-based Bridge, Perranarworthal/Perranwell and conservation area designation and care Constantine. Conservation Area about their environment appraisals and management plans are Encourage recycling, energy efficiency in Penryn

under preparation for Penryn and design and sustainable construction Falmouth Falmouth. Protect green corridor between Falmouth

The south coast of this area is and Penryn Issues & Community

designated AONB Penryn The Fal/Helford SAC and the SSSI at

Swanpool and Helford support important Place and rare biodiversity Paper:

There are three designated Bathing Based Waters, at Maenporth, Swanpool and Issues Network Gyllingvase, which must be protected Falmouth from adverse impact resulting from development Paper

Habitats Regulations Assessment February

indicates that the Fal/Helford SAC would Area

be subject to pressure for recreation if and housing numbers in Cornwall grow in 201 1 17 18 February Penryn accordance with the (now abandoned) Cornwall draft RSS levels of growth go ahead.

Landscape character: The area contains 201 1 Falmouth (parts of) a number of landscape Community

character areas as described in LDF: Appendix B(15).

The north side of the Helford River is & Penryn

rich in Historic Parks and Gardens Core Place Network

Summary: The natural environment is highly valued by the local population, supports important biodiversity and is part Strategy Based of the tourist attraction of the area. Certain areas are at risk from flooding; this needs to be taken account in the location

of new development and in sustainable construction to reduce surface water run off. Issues Area Paper Place-based Issues Paper: Falmouth and

15 Cornwall Landscape Character Assessment (2007) Coast Cornwall

Table .9

Coast: This table will explore the evidence relating to the coast. Evidence that highlights specific issues for this area will be LDF: identified under ‘Issues for consideration’ and in the summary box at the end of the table – evidence that shows no difference between this area and the average for Cornwall will not. Core Evidence & Policy Context Community View Issues for Consideration

This stretch of coast covers the Fal and Restrict waterside development where Balance between economic Strategy Helford estuaries, the important possible to marine-related business use development, protection of commercial port of Falmouth, the (Falmouth). traditional maritime industries commercial port of Truro, the port of and protection of the Penryn and the harbour at Helford. Achieve a vibrant future for the docks as environment Coastal/estuarine areas either side of part of a healthy local business Role of the ports and harbours Place-based Falmouth are AONB infrastructure. Protection and enhancement Current proposals for new marina and of the AONB and of Maximise the opportunities for leisure and

cruise liner facilities undeveloped coast Penryn recreation provided by our waterfront Area of Fal estuary around Carclew Conservation of the Fal and Falmouth (Restronguet Creek) is within the environment (Falmouth). Helford SAC

Cornwall and West Devon Mining Impacts of sea level rise on the Issues & Community

Landscape World Heritage Site low lying estuaries and Penryn (Devoran and Perran site) harbours

Fal and Helford Estuary SAC (see SAC Conservation of the World Place Paper: Management Plan) Heritage Site Sea level rise - pressures on the Based frontage at Falmouth, Penryn, and Issues Network Flushing are likely to increase with rising Falmouth sea levels due to the constrained nature Paper of the frontage

Draft SMP2 objectives for the area are:- February Area

Fal - to maintain the commercial and viability of the area within the 201 1 19 20 February Penryn context of natural amenity value Cornwall and to take account of the natural

environment and heritage 201 1 Falmouth

importance of the area. Community

Helford - allow the natural evolution LDF: of the estuary while recognising the

need to maintain the identity and & Penryn

viability of the estuarine settlements Core through reducing flood risks and Place

maintaining the limited recreational Network Strategy

and amenity facilities. Based Allow natural evolution of the open coast between the estuary mouths. Issues Area Paper Place-based The ports of Falmouth and Penryn are important in terms of employment (leisure and freight) Falmouth and Penryn are at risk from tidal flooding. There are traditional fishing industries in the Fal and Helford and traditional Issues maritime businesses in a cluster around Falmouth and Penryn Truro. S(16) Paper:

Summary: The coast in this functional area is an important natural asset and is protected. The coast supports a wide variety of functions for leisure, business, tourism and environment. Policy for coastal areas will need to take into account

the emerging Marine and Coastal Access bill. There are choices to be made, especially in Falmouth, regarding the balance Falmouth of economic development and environmental protection. and

16 outh West Ports - Gateways for Growth” South West Regional Ports Association/British Ports Association, 2009 Falmouth & Penryn Place Based Issues Paper February 2011 21

Cornwall LDF: Core Strategy Place-based Issues Paper: Falmouth and Penryn Community Network Area

Summary and Key Spatial Issues

Table .10

This paper summarises the key emerging issues for the Falmouth Community Network Area brought together to inform the Cornwall Core Strategy.

The key issues:

Issue 1 – Manage the location and distribution of housing growth and the delivery of an appropriate mix of housing (including affordable housing and student accommodation).

Issue 2 – Encourage the growth of the docks, tourism and universities.

Issue 3 – Support the retail function of Falmouth and consider its role in relation to other major retail centres.

Issue 4 – Ensure transport infrastructure is adequate to support growth – develop a coordinated transport network.

Issue 5 – Consider location of sports and leisure facilities, harness the full potential of the waterfront and maintain a green corridor between Falmouth and Penryn.

Issue 6 – Provide a strategic framework to balance economic development, maritime industries, protection of the environment and access to the coast.

Appendix A: Community Planning Area Visions / Key Objectives

Table .11

Document Summary of “vision”

Constantine Parish The Plan does not contain a specific vision, but has a series of issues Plan (2008) and proposed actions arising from the consultation process. Those which are relevant to planning have been included in the place based paper.

Falmouth and Penryn Identifies 7 themes and 3 or 4 objectives for each theme: Community Plan (2009) Connected Communities Employment and prosperity Leisure, Recreation and Culture A Healthy Community Transport and the Community Accommodating our Community Community Safety 22 February 2011 Falmouth & Penryn Place Based Issues Paper

Cornwall LDF: Core Strategy Place-based Issues Paper: Falmouth and Penryn Community Network Area

Mawnan Parish Plan To provide an adequate supply of affordable homes for local (2006) residents in housing need (ie. first time buyers, young people, and families), allowing young people to remain living in the Parish. Any development needs to be small scale and sympathetic to the local environment. A wider selection of shops and amenities within the Parish. Parish roads as safe as possible for all users, with appropriate traffic speeds throughout the Parish. Road signage to be sympathetic to the surrounding environment. Ensure adequate parking in summer months, easing problem of dangerous, illegal and inconvenient parking. An attractive, well maintained and accessible built and natural environment, protecting the Parish’s unique character. Appropriate youth activities and facilities in the Parish, with the possible creation of a drop-in youth centre/cafe. Improved and extended kerbside recycling service. Local businesses to sell goods with environmentally friendly packaging. Less dependence on fossil fuels within the Parish through promoting energy efficiency and investigating alternative sources of energy. An efficient, viable public and community transport system. Residents to have access to a wide range of activities, events and facilities, along with increased promotion and advertising of activities within the Parish. Parish Council to further increase amount of public participation in decision making, to take actions suggested in Parish Plan forward and keep the Parish Plan up-to-date with residents’ help.

Mabe Parish Plan 2010 (Summary from key findings)

There is strong support for more housing to be built in the proximity of Mabe Burnthouse. However the support was subject to the following conditions: Local needs only (affordable and Social Housing); Small scale (maximum of 50 over a 10 year period; None to the east (i.e. towards Penryn) in order to keep the identity of the village as a separate community from Penryn. Road traffic safety was the most important and urgent issue for residents - the current volume and speed of traffic through the village, coupled with difficulties in parking. Generally supportive of renewable energy generation including concept of wind turbines in the parish. The building of the Tremough Campus within the Parish has had a major impact both on the built environment (Student accommodation and academic buildings) and local facilities Falmouth & Penryn Place Based Issues Paper February 2011 23

Cornwall LDF: Core Strategy Place-based Issues Paper: Falmouth and Penryn Community Network Area

(congestion on the road network and loss of rented accommodation). Need to improve access to hospital (Treliske) and NHS dental services.

St Gluvias Parish (Summary of priorities) Community Plan 2009-2019 Support local shops and businesses. Reduce risks to residents from traffic. Improve quality of life for pedestrians. Provision of a meeting place for young people. Provision of a local healthcare facility (part-time). Rebuilding of the Methodist hall as a community facility. Improvements to public transport. Support for a railway halt on the Truro-Falmouth line.

Appendix B: Landscape Character information from the 2007 Cornwall Landscape Character Assessment

COMMUNITY NETWORK AREA 7 – FALMOUTH & PENRYN

Evidence and Policy Context

Landscape Character Areas (LCA):

LCA 9 – Helford Ria LCA 10 – Carnmenellis LCA 11 – Redruth, Camborne and Gwennap LCA 14 – Newlyn Downs www.cornwall.gov.uk/cornwall_landscape (underscore between cornwall and landscape)

Issues for Consideration

Environment

Manage and plan development to prevent encroachment into the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty which falls to the east and south. Support measures to control the water environment and ensure flood defences are integrated within the landscape. Conserve the tranquillity of the undeveloped creeks, and the scale the associated settlements, managing oak woodland on steep sided valleys, and encouraging extensions of these areas. 24 February 2011 Falmouth & Penryn Place Based Issues Paper

Cornwall LDF: Core Strategy Place-based Issues Paper: Falmouth and Penryn Community Network Area

Develop a strategy for the recreational use of the Helford and Fal Estuaries, which respects the fishing industry and conservation issues. Conserve the character of the local transport network resisting road straightening and widening, along with road signage clutter.

Link the management and strategic planning of Network Area 7 with other adjacent network areas:

South Coast Central - Area Of Outstanding Natural Beauty - Network Areas 7, 16, 18. South Coast Western - Area Of Outstanding Natural Beauty - Network Areas 7, 9, 13. Gwennap Mining District with Devoran, Perran and Kennal Vale - World Heritage Site - Network Areas 4, 7,15, 18.

Coast

Develop strategy for recreation within the tidal creeks and estuaries. Support measures to control the water environment and ensure flood defences are integrated within the landscape.