The Regional Development Agency and the Camborne, Redruth, Pool regeneration group have been quick to react to plans by South Crofty to mine tin by 2009.

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Nigel Tipple, chief executive of CPR Regeneration, said: "Clearly we need to discuss with Western United Mines how they intend to commence mining on site and, crucially, what this means for the surface land at Crofty so that we can examine how our own aspirations for the site and theirs could potentially co-exist.

"We have always maintained that our own sport, health a leisure-led proposals for land either side of Dudnance Lane, including the Crofty site, will not compromise access to tin reserves either now or in the future, and that remains our position.

"However, we still believe that the surface land at Crofty is crucial to achieving the comprehensive regeneration of the Pool area, creating up to 2000 jobs. This is why we support the South West RDA's intention to acquire those parts of the site not required for accessing the mine, through negotiation or compulsory purchase and to making available, if required, additional public sector-owned land outside Western United Mines' ownership to facilitate future operational mining requirements."

Stephen Bohane, head of operations for the South West RDA in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, said: "We have not yet been able to assess Western United Mines' proposals but look forward to finding out more.

"Our board resolved last year to acquire up to 147 acres of land in Pool, including the 33 acres at South Crofty, to bring forward the regeneration of the whole area, and to use our compulsory purchase powers as necessary.

"Crofty is a critical piece of the regeneration jigsaw and it is still our intention to buy it either through negotiation or compulsory purchase. We would only acquire the surface site, not the mine itself.

Planning policy dictates that mineral reserves like those at Crofty cannot be sterilised by development and that access must be maintained.

We are committed to that and are willing to work with the mine owners to ensure that regeneration of the surface site does not compromise future access to tin."

Last month CPR Regeneration published plans to transform 78 acres of land around Dudnance Lane in Pool - including 33 acres at South Crofty - into an exciting new development for sport, leisure, health and active recreation.

As well as a new replacement leisure centre for the 30-year-old Carn Brea Leisure Centre and a new health centre, the plans include an extreme sports centre, spa, restaurants, some specialist sport and leisure retail, a new piazza and green open space to the west of Dudnance Lane. The green open space will provide opportunity for active recreation and sports and will provide a key link between Heartlands and the Red River Valley.

To the east of Dudnance Lane there are plans for a hotel and conference centre, a strategic car park, retail and some residential. At East Hill there would be office space on the main roads and some further high quality residential development adjoining Tuckingmill.

The plans have emerged from three possible options that were outlined at a series of public exhibitions during July and August which were attended by more than 1,000 people and generated almost 300 written comments.