A ‘Local List’ is a formal instrument which can be adopted by a local authority as an addition to the Neighbourhood Plan. It is an advisory instrument designed to safeguard aspects of the built heritage which are deemed to be locally valuable. This means that structures included on a Local List may be of architectural merit (but not so much so as to be listed), or may have a story or association which is locally valued, or may simply be a defining aspect of a landscape (like a farmhouse as a locally useful landmark).
Following the successful introduction of the Truro & Kenwyn Neighbourhood Plan, and the previously successful process to develop a Truro Conservation Area Management Plan, the opportunity has been taken for Truro to compile a ‘Local List’. This project has being undertaken jointly by Truro City Council and Truro Civic Society, with the very able professional engagement of Patrick Taylor*, a conservation consultant and retired local government Conservation Officer. This has involved a lengthy appraisal of buildings within the Truro area which are not listed but which, for any of several reasons, are deemed worthy of a degree of protection and future development guidance.
The process undertaken by Truro City Council and Truro Civic Society has reached the stage where a draft schedule of proposed buildings and structures for inclusion on a local list has been developed, with photographs and some short descriptions. This has been subject to some consultation at various local events towards the end of 2017..
In order to view the properties selected, they have been grouped into areas as follows:-
- Truro Station(Richmond Hill, Highertown, Avondale Rd., Station Rd.)
- The Crescent (Adelaide Tce, The Crescent, Crescent Rd.,Harrison Tce.)
- Chapel Hill (Chapel Hill, City Rd, Dereham Tce, Parkvedras Tce, Stratton Tce)
- Daniell Rd(Albert Place, Daniell Rd)
- Falmouth Rd (Falmouth Rd, Carclew St, Charles St, William St, Lemon St, Lemon Quay)
- Centre(Boscawen St, Duke St, Victoria Square, St. Mary’s St, King St, Pydar St, St. Nicholas St, River St, The Leats, Castle St, St. George’s Rd)
- Hendra(Carew Rd, Victoria Park, Off Kenwyn Rd, Kenwyn Rd, Comprigney Hill, Kenwyn Close, Kenwyn Lane)
- Campfield Hill(Old Bridge St, St. Clement’s St, Campfield Hill, The Avenue)
- Carvoza Road(Carvoza Rd, Campfield Terrace, Bodmin Rd, Prospect Gardens)
- Mitchell Hill(Mitchell Hill Tce, Broad St, Agar Rd, Mitchell Hill, Mitchell Mews)
- Malpas(St. Clement’s Hill, Waterloo, Trennick Lane, Malpas Rd, Town Quay, Baynard’s Close, James Place, St. Austell St, New Bridge St)
- Tregolls(Tregolls Rd, Penair Lane)
*Patrick Taylor
Truro Civic Society adopted a policy to create a Local List, and to work as best it could to get it adopted, so that the buildings, structures and features which are of value to Truro and her community could be given some measure of protection. Having a policy and making it happen are two very different things. Patrick Taylor, the eldest son of the eminent Truro architect, John Taylor, to whose energy, talent and drive, we owe some of our finest post-war modern architectural achievements, suddenly appeared and offered to do the work necessary to make a Local List. He trained as an architect, and later modified his profession to become a skilled and respected Conservation Officer in Suffolk. The photography, research and descriptions which are the bones of this Local List are Patrick’s work. He was a pupil of Truro School and sadly died in 2019. In presenting this work for public consultation and ultimately, public and official approval, Truro Civic Society and Truro City Council dedicate this work to the late Patrick Taylor, whose contribution to his home town will help to protect its character and diversity for the future. RIP
Bert Biscoe
Chairman, Truro Civic Society