Get RAPPing in Redruth

Residents of Redruth will have the chance to present their future vision for the town centre when an ‘information exchange’ opens tomorrow. Running until Saturday 13 February, the consultation exercise will give people the chance to contribute ideas to the development of the Redruth Action Plan Project (RAPP).

RAPP aims to ”inform and create” a 20-year vision for the economic regeneration of Redruth, together with a five-year action plan to start to bring that vision to life. Workshops have already been held with local businesses, site owners, local school children, and voluntary and community organisations.

Prior to this, a report was prepared to quantify the economic position of Redruth. For instance, only 25 per cent of Redruth residents currently use their town centre, according to the report. It also considered the barriers to investment such as poor access, image and potential flood risk.

Barbara Ellenbroek, Mayor of Redruth, said, “I hope that the whole community and especially our young people will want to get involved with the Information Exchange in Fore Street. Redruth has a strong community spirit and I would encourage people to come and share their ideas so that they can influence the future of their town to make it the kind of place that they and their children will be proud to live in.”

Imelda Martin, project manager at CPR Regeneration said, “It has been really great to see the site representatives, businesses and the voluntary and community organisations in Redruth getting involved with this exciting opportunity to work together to change perceptions and give Redruth the bright future it deserves.”

The RAPP is directed by a steering group made up of South West RDA (Regional Development Agency), Homes & Communities Agency, Cornwall Council, Redruth Town Council and is managed by CPR Regeneration, the urban regeneration company for Camborne, Pool and Redruth, utilising investment from the ERDF (European Regional Development Fund) Convergence Programme and the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA).

Carolyn Rule, Cornwall council’s cabinet member for the economy and regeneration, said: “This is a great opportunity for local people to get involved and to tell us what they would like to see happening in the town. We are committed to ensuring that Redruth has a bright economic future ahead and we want to see people in Redruth playing as much of a part as possible in shaping that future.”

Colin Molton, regional director for the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) in the south west said: “Redruth has a proud history and a strong community. Everyone in the district has a role to play in helping Redruth become the kind of town they would like to see. I would encourage people of all ages to participate by giving their thoughts and ideas at the Information Exchange.”