Funding Secured for New 3G Community Pitch at Langarth Garden Village

Langarth Garden Village has marked another major step forward with funding now secured for a new 3G community training pitch and changing rooms. The new facility forms the next phase of the Langarth Sports Hub, following the completion of the floodlit 3,000 capacity FA compliant football pitch and stands in July 2024, which allowed Truro City Football Club to return home for the 2024 to 2025 season.

A Seven Day a Week, All Weather Community Pitch

Led by Langarth Garden Village LLP, the new synthetic pitch will offer year round, floodlit training space for clubs and organisations in Truro and the surrounding area. The design meets current Sport England guidance to ensure the materials are appropriate for its long term use.

Cornwall Council has accepted a £750,000 capital grant from the Football Foundation towards the cost. Council Leader Leigh Frost confirmed that construction will begin early next year, with the aim of opening the pitch in time for the 2026 to 27 football season. Remaining funding will come from compulsory planning contributions from developers and the Garden Village project.

Leigh said, “We said at the start of the Garden Village project that we wanted to create a real community at Langarth and were committed to delivering key infrastructure in the early stages of the scheme. Last year we worked hard with partners to provide the new home for Truro City Football Club and we are now keeping our promise to deliver new sports facilities for community clubs and organisations.

“There is significant local support for this important community facility and I would like to thank the Langarth Garden Village development team, the Football Foundation, local member Cllr Dulcie Tudor and Kenwyn Parish Council for working with us to bring this project to fruition.”

Set To Become Cornwall’s Largest Permanent Sports Events Facility

Once complete, this phase of the Langarth Sports Hub will make it the largest permanent sports events facility in Cornwall. Partners have committed to ensuring the new facilities are accessible to communities in Threemilestone, Truro, Kenwyn Parish and surrounding parishes, as well as clubs operating in those areas and the future Langarth community.

Local Cornwall Councillor Dulcie Tudor welcomed the news, saying the Football Foundation grant completes the final piece needed to deliver the pitch.

Dulcie said, “Everyone who is involved with grass roots football knows how difficult it is to find a place to play, particularly on rainy days. Having access to an all-weather pitch which is available 7 days a week all year round will make a huge difference to all these local clubs and groups.

“We began lobbying for a pitch for Threemilestone Football Club more than eight years ago and, while it has certainly taken a long time to get here, we have ended up with a scheme which is much better than we originally thought.

“This is a really positive day for the community and grass roots sports clubs and I would like to thank everyone who has helped us achieve this.”

What Happens Next?

Work is under way to finalise plans for the day to day management of the facility, with an operator due to be appointed ahead of the opening.

Beyond sports, Langarth Garden Village plans include a wide range of community assets. These include the first primary school, village squares and business centres, health facilities, parks and urban squares, green spaces, water features, cycle and walking routes and cultural facilities. A stewardship scheme is being developed to manage these assets.

Progress is also being made on the construction of Fordh Langarth, formerly the Northern Access Road. The Homes England funded spine road will link the development from the A390 at West Langarth to the Royal Cornwall Hospital. It is due for completion in Spring 2026.