Pydar Street, Truro - PRP architects / Treveth Development LLP / Cornwall Council / Inner Circle Consulting

Where is the project located 
Truro, Cornwall, TR1 3SP
 
Who is the developer/client of the project?
Treveth Development LLP / Cornwall Council / Inner Circle Consulting

Describe the context of this project, its neighbourhood and people?

Over the last two years, as the world transformed and people changed the way they work, commute, and entertain, the principles of the 15-min city took on renewed prominence. The opportunity to create places that provide for all your daily needs could reduce personal carbon emissions, support local economies, and improve neighbourly relationships. It is these values that have guided the Pydar regeneration project since inception. It is a project that aims to put people at the heart of this urban transformation. 

Pydar is the jewel in Cornwall Council’s investment programme and an important driver to reduce carbon emissions, provide affordable housing, and support the local economy. The scheme will deliver a vibrant, characterful and sustainable new community rooted in local aspirations. The Pydar regeneration and masterplanning project is located next to Truro city centre, on four hectares of publicly owned brownfield land covered by car parks and derelict buildings.

The project has involved close collaboration with the Council and community stakeholders, including Falmouth University, to develop a design that will build on the 15-min city principle whilst complementing Truro’s existing offer by creating a new leisure destination. The £177m scheme will regenerate the area with pedestrian-first, new 300+ home, mixed-use development that connect Truro’s historic city centre with the River Allen, whilst improving biodiversity, access to nature, and decreasing car dependency. The new pattern of streets and massing will retain, improve and create breath-taking views to key heritage assets, such as Truro Cathedral and the Viaduct.
 
Please describe your approach to this future place and its mix of uses. How will it function as a vibrant place? How does it knit into, and serve the needs of, the wider area?

Pydar is bringing transformational change to a run-down brownfield area. In place of underutilised warehouses, asbestos-ridden empty buildings, and carbon-emitting car parks, will rise a vibrant, sustainable and intergenerational neighbourhood. Pydar will become a new destination for Cornwall: an eco-led, inclusive, and architecturally harmonious neighbourhood. 

The country’s housing crisis is a tragedy of enormous proportions for all. Working closely with the Council and researching local housing needs, we’re proud that 70% of the 4.5ha masterplan is earmarked for housing, thus delivering 320 high-quality new homes. All homes will be sold only to local people and 35% of all housing will be designated for affordable housing (25% of Truro’s local affordable housing needs). The scheme includes intergenerational living between students and older generations to promote social cohesion.

Future neighbourhoods must create a better, cleaner environment for all. We’ve worked with the community to create 3.5 acres of new green open spaces. We believe that great communities need more than greenery – they need places for people to commune and celebrate. Pydar will host 16,500sqm of leisure space, hospitality space for new restaurants and cafes, and state-of-the-art cultural facilities.

Pydar will be home to ‘The Hive’, a 4,000 sqm hub for creative industries that will bring jobs and ensure emerging talent from Falmouth University and local business stay in Cornwall to grow the local economy. Up to 400 student beds will encourage university students to stay, study, and grow in the area. Pydar will be a catalyst for growth and entrepreneurship.
 
What is the environmental impact of the project? How will the carbon use and material impact of the development be mitigated? What is the sustainability strategy? Please provide any evidence or data.

The development of Pydar is a champion of Cornwall’s green credentials by repairing the damaged townscape and replacing with a sympathetic development that protects and improves existing green spaces and celebrates the River Allen.

The Energy Strategy for the scheme is ambitious and aims to deliver on Cornwall Council’s Climate Change Action Plan of zero carbon for 2030. Pydar will be pioneer new ways of living and tackle the climate emergency with ‘low carbon’ buildings while utilising clean energy and urban agriculture to reduce emissions.

Ground source heat pumps will be the primary source of home heating whilst the proposal maximises the use of solar roof spaces for the installation of Photo-Voltaic (PV) to provide 10% of the electricity generated on site.

The planned mixed-use development ensures that the residents can work and live in the same area, therefore reducing the need to travel. The scheme will also serve as a location for E-bikes and public transport stops, driving the needed modal shift desired by the Climate Emergency declaration. It will be integrated into the local cycling and walking infrastructure.

The project includes enhanced natural areas along the river, terraced gardens, planting of over 100 trees and enhancing the Viaduct area, this would entail a positive land conversion and an expected biodiversity net gain of more than 50%. The project has been successfully accredited in July 2021 with the Building with Nature Design Award.

 
Describe the social impact of the project: How will this future place contribute to the economic, environmental and social wellbeing of its citizens?  

Pydar will pioneer new ways of living, learning, working and playing; putting the community back into the heart of Truro and creating a prosperous, inclusive and sustainable urban neighbourhood. 

The scheme will deliver:

- Up to 320 residential homes, 112 affordable (contributing significantly to the high local affordable housing need in the city;

- Up to 400 student beds;

- Energy efficient buildings;

- Miles of new cycling, walking and jogging routes to promote health and wellbeing;

- New open spaces, high quality public realm and play areas. Over 64% of the site will be open space for all to explore;

- A new, fully accessible pedestrian route connecting the city centre with the River Allen and its waterfront.

- A new public river walk, opening up the enjoyment of the River Allen to all and celebrating the existing natural landscape and wildlife

- Increased local biodiversity gain of over 50% and renewed environments for local wildlife

- 60% of renewable energy demand produced by on site renewables;

- 100+ new trees, new planting and 3.5 acres of new green public spaces;

- 623 long term jobs created and 1,554 short term jobs in construction;

- £152-197 million of spending in the local economy over the first ten years (upon full completion)

- New resident spending £13.3m in the first 10 years;

- A wide range of non-residential uses that will complement and not compete with Truro City Centre.