Cornwall Council is taking over the running of the Heartlands site in Pool and has announced a plan of action for the future. 

The council, which owns the site and previously leased it to the Heartlands Trust, said it is now able to officially take over its running because the Trust's legal obligations under the lease and management agreement have formally come to an end.

Up until this point, and following their decision to close areas of Heartlands at the end of January 2024, the Trust remained responsible for all aspects of the site until the lease formally ended.

Now that an insolvency practitioner has been appointed by the Trust, and the lease and management agreement has been handed back to the council, the authority is able to formally liaise with tenants.

It will also implement planned maintenance and management systems at Heartlands "to meet the needs of those visiting, living and working on the site."

As the owner of the Heartlands site, the council said it "remains committed" to maintaining public access to the parks and gardens.

A spokessperson for Cornawll Council said: "We are now formally able to undertake things like grass cutting and maintaining the grounds, repairing outdoor play equipment, emptying bins and undertaking essential maintenance to the buildings."

They went on to add: "The council can now begin to formally take steps so that this important public asset can continue to serve the local community."

The Registration Service and commercially let shops and offices have remained open. 

The council retains ownership of the cafe fixtures and fitting, the soft play equipment, the contents of the main hall, and all the of the original artefacts and historic fixtures and fittings.

The insolvency practitioner is organising a public auction of the Trust’s assets, which does not include equipment essential to operate the site in the future.

The sale of the Trust’s assets will include items such as a marquee and bouncy castle that were owned by the Trust.

Vickery Holman, a local commercial property agent, has been instructed to prepare marketing particulars to invite bids to lease the café and soft play areas, as well as for the management and operation of the site as a whole.

"The council’s priority will be to find the right custodian of the site in the future. The preference would be for one operator, but if that is not possible, then professional operators for the component parts.

"We’ll be keeping tenants, local stakeholders and the community up to date with plans as they progress," added the council spokesperson. 

Councillor Bob Drew, chairman of Carn Brea Parish Council, said: “I am pleased that this period of uncertainty for residents and tenants has come to an end. Cornwall Council has committed to keep stakeholders informed and to be part of future plans.”