9 October 2009

Over 200 Local People View South Crofty and Dudnance Lane Plans

The transformation of Dudnance Lane in Pool, including the relocation of South Crofty mine and proposed commercial and residential development was the subject of a public exhibition in Pool on Friday 23 October.

A development framework was jointly presented by West United Mines, the South West RDA (Regional Development Agency), CPR Regeneration and Cornwall Council.

It sets out how a range of different regeneration proposals in and around Dudnance Lane will link together and follows months of positive discussions between all involved.

Western United Mines outlined plans to relocate its mining operation in advance of a planning application which is likely to be made before the end of the year, including how the proposed new mine processing plant could look.

This would free up other land at Crofty for new development, including Cornwall Council's plans for the next stage of the proposed link road between Redruth and Camborne, connecting Dudnance Lane and Dolcoath Avenue.

A planning application for the road was submitted in early October and details of the scheme were available at the consultation event for information.

The South West RDA and CPR Regeneration outlined the wider regeneration blueprint for Dudnance Lane and South Crofty, including employment space and new homes, and how the mine proposals and the new road all fit together into a comprehensive regeneration scheme.

Part of the exhibition included details of a new landmark office building on land at East Hill junction, with an outline planning application expected before the end of the year.

David Brewer, chairman of CPR Regeneration, said: "For the first time we presented a framework for regeneration this part of Pool that accommodates the ambitions of Western United Mines and all the regeneration agencies. This blueprint marks a significant milestone in creating hundreds of new jobs above and below ground."