Work on a redevelopment of the disused church rooms at Gorran Churchtown is expected to commence  in early March 2015.

Cornwall Council granted planning permission and listed building consent in December for a scheme to transform the church rooms into two flats for affordable use, including one to suit a disabled person, together with a community room with full wheelchair access, a community kitchen and a disabled-accessible WC.

The scheme has been devised by St Goran Community Land Trust Ltd, which was formed in 2013 as a not-for-profit company and registered charity to provide much-needed affordable accommodation in this coastal community.

The Trust also expects shortly to acquire the adjoining three existing flats currently owned by the Church Trustees and has plans to upgrade and improve them for the existing tenants.

Ian Carter, Building and Ed Crossley Associates of Truro, have been commissioned to carry out the building and refurbishment work, which is expected to take 30 weeks to complete.

Funding for the project, which is valued at £385,000, is being provided by a development mortgage secured through the Trust’s bankers and also through donations and interest free loans generously pledged by members of the local community.  Grant aid is also being sought from various bodies to assist in final funding for the project.

For more information on the development, contact Bob Thornton, Chairman on 01726 842968.