Carn Brea Monument, one of the most well-known landmarks in Cornwall’s mining heartland has been returned to the stewardship of the local parish Council.

Cornwall Council has agreed to transfer the stewardship of the monument to the parish council following two years of discussions.

The formal handover ceremony will be held at 6pm on Thursday, June 21.

The chairman of Carn Brea Parish Council, Malcolm Moyle, said: “The parish has long awaited this moment when the most well-known landmark in Cornwall’s mining heartland is passed to the local council for safekeeping for many generations to come. A big thank you is due to Cornwall Council for making this happen and to Peter Sheppard for his help and guidance over the past year”.

Transfer discussions began after concerns over the repeated theft of the monument’s copper lighting conductor.

This was one of the first devolution proposals to be developed by the council and, over the past few months, officers from the authority’s property, legal and environment services have been working closely with cabinet members and representatives of the local community to gain approval for the handover.

Earlier this month a lease granting ownership of the monument to the parish council for 125 years was signed by its chairman.

Local Cornwall Councillors Peter Sheppard and Kym Willoughby are delighted that agreement has been reached over the formal handover of the monument to the local community.

“Following the initial expression of interest the parish council has worked hard to produce a proper business case, including a walk by inspection register, annual and ten year tests of lightning conductors and examinations of the structure” said Mr Sheppard.

“I was very pleased to be able to co-ordinate between Cornwall Council officers and portfolio holders and Carn Brea Parish Council to achieve a positive outcome for all parties.”

The parish council is keen to illuminate the historic monument and staged a trial illumination to co-incide with the Flame Festival organised by Heartlands to mark the arrival of the Olympic Flame at RNAS Culdrose last month.

Kym Willougby said: “I would like to congratulate Carn Brea Parish Council on securing the lease for the Basset Monument for the next 125 years. This historic and iconic site can be seen from many miles in all directions and the proposed illumination will be inspiring.”