Work is to begin on the new Penrose Bridleway linking with Porthleven.

It follows planning permission for the new link between the port and the existing public rights of way within the Penrose Estate being granted.

This was on the back of £32,645 from Cornwall Council’s Community Infrastructure Levy Fund being awarded to local community group South Kerrier Alliance CIC (SKA) for the project, announced earlier in 2021.

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Over the last six months, SKA and the National Trust have been working together to secure the agreements and permissions for the route. Subject to sign off of one final planning condition, work is due to begin in the next few weeks.

The route from Porthleven into Penrose is popular with residents, who currently use Shrubberies Hill lane to access the estate at Penrose Hill.

However, the lane is narrow, with high hedges and no footpath, and frequent traffic making it a difficult and dangerous route.

The group hopes that creating the new route will enable safe access and complete the missing part of a direct bridleway link between Helston and Porthleven, providing safe and fully accessible off-road link.

The route follows part of an original lane used in the 1800s by Porthleveners to walk to work in the Penrose Estate. Access will be at the corner of Shrubberies Hill and Coopers Lane and the project involves over 150m of new hedge planting to benefit wildlife.

Where the new bridleway will run between Porthleven and Penrose

Where the new bridleway will run between Porthleven and Penrose

This is one of 14 Cornwall Council funded projects aiming to boost greener living around Cornwall. Since January 2019 the Council has been charging developers the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) to reduce any potential adverse effects resulting from new housing and other building projects.

David Turnbull, director of SKA, said: "It’s taken a lot of work to secure the agreements and permissions for the route, but with strong support from the National Trust everything is now in place for construction to start.

"The new bridleway is another step in providing better walking and cycling routes across our area and we hope to develop more within and around Helston in the future."

Justin Whitehouse, National Trust general manager for the Lizard and Penrose, added: "This is an important link which will improve opportunities for people to access and enjoy Penrose safely.

"It will be an asset for the local community and provide a safe shared accessible route for walkers, horse riders and cyclists.

"The past two years have really shown the value accessible green spaces for people, and thanks to the support of Martin Wallis who farms the land, we are looking forward to seeing this plan move forward."

The National Trust and SKA are providing match funding to support the project.