Revealing the nine projects in Camborne's £25m bid to set a new direction

The Camborne Town Deal board has unveiled the nine projects it is proposing in a ground-breaking town investment plan that was submitted to government late last week.

They include re-developing the bus station into a state-of-the-art, multi-purpose work, entertainment and living space: creating a world-class fibre park; transforming the appearance of the high street; opening up a network of cycleways; renovating the recreation ground; creating new sport and amenity facilities; facilitating food and farming enterprise and turning the town’s Donald Thomas Centre into a contemporary crafts hub.

The Government selected 101 towns throughout the UK and invited them to apply for a possible £25m each of regeneration funds. Camborne is just one of four selected in Cornwall – the others being Truro, Penzance and St Ives.

A board comprising volunteers from both the public and private sectors was formed to consider and develop the bid. After months of deliberations and consultation with the public, a long list of possibilities has been reduced to the final project shortlist.

Central to the plan is the Buzz Station, an iconic, vibrant complex that will house plenty for all age groups to see and do, alongside start-up workspaces, some accommodation and a covered piazza.

A forward-thinking Fibre Park will provide almost 7,000 square metres of digital connectivity at former Cornwall College and SWEB locations, creating well-paid jobs in the burgeoning tech industry.

Employment opportunities will also be on offer in the food and farming enterprise hub intended for the Duchy College Rosewarne site, whilst Life Cycle Camborne and re-vamped community and recreational spaces are designed to encourage healthy outdoor activity. The Life Cycle projects will also enable every young person in Camborne afford a bike and helmet.

Work to dramatically improve the look and feel of the town will continue with Project A-Void Phase 2 which, through BID Camborne, funds grants for local businesses. The project also includes bringing abandoned or dilapidated premises back into use.

Finally, with the arts firmly in mind, a new contemporary crafts hub specialising in warm glass, ceramics and small metals will be established in a newly refurbished and re-purposed Donald Thomas Centre.

“Submitting the Town Investment Plan is a really exciting moment for Camborne and something we have been working towards for many months now,” said Anna Pascoe, chair of the Camborne Town Deal board. “All the projects have been carefully selected with future needs in mind and we have been seeking and collating local views as much as possible during the planning process.

“This is a milestone moment and we all hope our plans will be approved by the government so we can move on to the next stage of development.”

Councillor Tim Dwelly, Cornwall Council Portfolio Holder for Culture, Economy and Planning, said: “Our town vitality team at Cornwall Council has worked extremely hard to help the four town boards submit these impressive proposals. With COVID hitting Cornwall’s economy hard and the G7 summit approaching, I hope the Government will look to fund these bids in full. If they do, the towns can look to a much brighter future in coming years.

“We are also working hard with many other towns to help them create plans for their own town centres too. How the Government responds to this first wave of town deals is being closely watched by people right across Cornwall.”

A response to the proposal is expected in March.

For more information, visit www.cambornetowndeal.com