More land has been acquired in Truro as a major next step towards creating a new village on the outskirts of the city.

It is one of two milestones in Cornwall Council's plans to build Langarth Garden Village, the second being the £47.45m funding contract between Homes England and Cornwall Council being signed for the design and construction of the new northern access road.

At the same time the council has acquired two more parcels of land: the Willows and West Langarth Farm at Penstraze.

The land acquisition brings a step closer plans for providing up to 3,500 homes, a new primary school and an extension to the Truro Park and Ride service.

Out of the housing being built, 35 per cent will be classed as affordable, with homes for older people and those with special requirements.  

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What has been described as a "major new transport link in Truro", the road will connect all the developments on the Langarth site and provide a route from the village to the Royal Cornwall Hospital at Treliske, avoiding the A390.

It will also prioritise cycling and walking along its entire 4km length as part of a transport strategy to provide cycle, bus and walking connections offering an alternative to using cars to access the city centre and other services.

There will also be homes for key workers and students, and council-owned market rented homes.

The signing of the contract with Homes England to release central government funding, after conditional approval was announced in June 2019, means that plans for the new northern access road can move ahead.

Falmouth Packet:

An artist's impression of Langarth Boulevard

The first section of the road, the interim link road, won planning permission in March 2020. With funding now available, construction will start this September.

It is expected to be completed in 2021 and will then provide access for the main road construction.

An application for outline planning permission for the Langarth scheme, which includes the construction of the main access road, is due to be submitted later this year.

Subject to all the necessary approvals and consents being secured, work is expectedd to start on constructing the new road during 2021 and be completed by spring 2024.

Tim Dwelly, Cornwall Council cabinet portfolio holder for culture, economy and planning said: “Good connections are the key to the success of communities as well as businesses and the people who work there.”

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“We can now start to deliver the Truro northern access road so we can ensure the needs of residents are front and centre.”

Sophie White, Homes England’s director of infrastructure grants, said it was keen to work with "ambitious local authority partners" looking to meet local housing needs. 

She said: "Our multi-million pound funding will fund the new Truro northern access road, whilst unlocking critical housing sites and allowing Cornwall Council to deliver their vision for new homes. 

"The 100 per cent grant funding by Homes England of the access road is essential to provide the key early infrastructure that has so far stopped house builders bringing new homes to market in this area.”

There will be a referendum on the updated Truro Neighbourhood Plan, including these elements, next spring.