Reducing traffic speed on Kenwyn Hill, pressure on hospitals, facilities in Truro and opportunities for self-build plots were some of the issues discussed at a public consultation in a proposed development.

A public display of plans for a 173-home development including a care home, care-assisted dwellings and community space at Pencoose Farm attracted around 75 people last month.

City councillors, neighbours and residents from across Truro and Kenwyn parishes attended the event to see the plans, offer feedback and help shape the scheme being put forward by Footsteps Investments (Truro) Ltd.

Of those who attended and completed a questionnaire, the majority, 44 per cent, were supportive of the proposals, with 39 per cent undecided and 17 per cent against.

Martin Birkett, director of Footsteps Investments (Truro) Ltd said: “We were pleased with the level of interest. We wanted to create a personal and professional public consultation, and we had a steady stream of people attending from doors opening at 10.30am to close at 8pm.

“A number of people were interested in access to the site and how our proposals include a speed restriction on approach to Kenwyn Hill, which several welcomed. There was also recognition of a need to support the growing ageing population in Cornwall.

“There was lots of debate about development in Truro generally, and pressure on hospitals, schools and amenities. That’s why we working as closely as possible with Truro City Council and the Truro and Kenwyn Neighbourhood Plan to be sure that our proposals meet local need.

“We wanted to share publicly how we have been working on the proposals for more than two years, with a team of professional consultants, covering visual impact, ecology, planning and highways, and how thoroughly we have considered these issues.”

The development team will now be using questionnaires distributed at the event to create a report, which will shape the proposals up until the application is submitted to Cornwall Council.

The scheme comprises a 90-bed residential care home incorporating a step-down facility for people leaving hospital, plus a recreational and community centre. It proposes 173 homes including family dwellings, affordable homes, with a number of care and care assisted dwellings. It is anticipated that no less than 25 per cent of the open-market housing will be designated affordable and may also include self-build plots for local people. Around one third of the ten hectare site would be offered up as community open space.

For more information, go to www.pencoosefarm.com.