A low carbon transport system; new skills, businesses and jobs; and new housing and community assets are all at the top of the agenda of St Ives’ Town Investment Plan.

As one of four towns in Cornwall which have been approved Town Deal funding – along with Truro, Camborne and Penzance – St Ives has set out how it will use the £19.9million allocated by central government.

In its Town Investment Plan (TIP) St Ives sets out its vision: “To build on the rich tapestry of assets in St Ives, from its beautiful coastal scenery and living heritage to its vibrant culture and local community, focusing on the needs of residents, whilst continuing to welcome visitors, embedding sustainability and attracting new enterprise, and supporting the aspirations of the next generation.”

In the introduction Sarah Stevens, chair of St Ives Town Board, states: “We have set out a major new vision for a fully integrated low carbon transport system, with investment now in a new transport hub to catalyse change.

“Major investment in our cultural assets will extend the visitor economy season and provide new jobs and training.

“Investment in local food production will shorten supply chains for the £95m visitor economy, reduce carbon emissions, improve resilience and create new opportunities for local people.

“A ground breaking partnership between the local community and Tate St Ives will see the Palais de Danse transformed into a real community asset, with new learning and enterprise opportunities guaranteed.”

The town board had bid for the maximum £25m allowed under the government fund but was awarded £19.9m. It is now working with Cornwall Council on reprofiling the budgets of the projects to fit the grant provided.

So, what projects are included in this bold new plan? We had a look inside.

Low Carbon Transport Hub

This £4.3m project aims to develop a “fully integrated low carbon transport for St Ives, connecting up the different parts of the town”.

The plan states: “This will increase commuting options for people unable to afford to live in the town centre, reducing congestion and care dependency and improving digital connectivity between visitors, residents and local businesses.”

It explains: “Our initial priority is to deliver the first phase of an integrated Low Carbon Transport Hub at the current station that links to e-vehicle last half mile connectivity to hotels and holiday lets.

“This will include a terminal for the Bay to Bay Multi-User Trail and include a new eBike terminal and electric vehicle/e-taxi charging facilities, alongside new and improved ticketing and welcome/information facilities for visitors.

“It will be designed as a standalone project but also so that further phases can be added, including fully integrating the current park and ride service.

“This first phase will also involve pedestrianisation of the town centre at peak times, following public consultation and a highly successful pilot project as part of our Covid-19 response.

“This will reduce car usage and congestion, lowering emissions, increasing the health and wellbeing of residents and visitors, supporting increasing footfall as the visitor economy continues forecast growth.”

Also linked with this is the Bay to Bay Multi-Use Trail which would connect St Ives to St Erth with five miles of new or upgraded cycle and walking paths.

This £7.5m project would also tie in with an eBike rental scheme and the rest of the transport hub.

Palais de Danse Skills Hub

Under this project the town board is forming a major partnership with the Tate St Ives to refurbish the historic Palais de Danse in the town centre to “create a high quality, digitally enabled hub for training and skills, run in partnership with the community”.

The £11.6m project will increase capacity and accessibility to new skills facilities; increase in the breadth of local skills offer; provide an upgraded and protected community centre and arts venue; increase the amount of shared workspace; and create new jobs, apprenticeships and internships.

Jobs and skills in local supply chains

This scheme will see the creation of a new training cafe and learning centre and vertical farm at the large-scale community orchard and garden in the Penbeagle area.

The £1.1m project will provide new skills facilities and increase the local skills offer that responds to local need as well as increasing shared workspace.

It will also provide new, upgraded and protected parks and gardens including plans to plant 3,000 trees. This will create new public spaces and new jobs.

Delegated fund for Covid-19 renewal

A £1.4m project this will increase the amount of high quality, affordable commercial floorspace in the town with 500 sq m of buildings improved.

The fund will provide business support for SMEs, start-ups and scale ups around innovation, operations and trade. It will include investment for SMEs through a grant scheme.

It will aim to deliver new public spaces including enhanced community, training and public space as well as creating and safeguarding more than 35 new jobs.

New and transformed housing and community assets

This covers a number of projects including new and upgraded housing and the rugby club; St Ives Theatre regeneration; Guildhall renewal; and Leach Pottery and Heritage Trail.

The TIP aims to use the Community Land Trust to create new social housing for long-term residents in the town.

It also wants to use land at the top of the town to create new affordable homes for key workers alongside refurbished sports facilities and extra care housing.

The Town Board is proposing a major repositioning and refurbishment of the rugby club which is on land owned by Cornwall Council and in need of investment.

St Ives Theatre would be transformed with a new cafe/bar and reception area and an extended auditorium which will help to extend the season and provide more opportunities for local children and young people.

In addition there are plans to renew the Guildhall to extend the offer of the event and performance venue whilst also upgrading and protecting the historic building.

A major expansion of the Leach Pottery is also proposed, along with a Heritage Trail.

The document states: “This will strengthen skills provision and training, create year-round jobs and generate additional opportunities for local people. The development includes community access to facilities and learning, a training studio to expand the apprenticeship programme and international residency space.

“The Leach Pottery will also become the hub for an immersive heritage and contemporary trail of St Ives, using virtual and Augmented Reality technology.”