Prince William visits St Petrocs housing project at Nansledan

He swapped royal duties for a spade. Yesterday afternoon, Prince William rolled up his sleeves in a Newquay garden and got stuck into one of Cornwall’s oldest building traditions, all in the name of a project he hopes can change how the country tackles homelessness.

The Duke of Cornwall visited Nansledan on Thursday 21st May 2026 to mark progress on a new housing development for people experiencing homelessness in Cornwall. The scheme, delivered in partnership with the charity St Petrocs, sits on the edge of Newquay at the Duchy of Cornwall’s flagship sustainable community.

What he saw at Nansledan

During the visit, William met residents, community leaders and the organisations involved in bringing the project together. That included people who have experienced homelessness themselves and have been supported through St Petrocs, alongside partners working to address housing need across Cornwall.

The first phase of the development will provide accommodation with wrap-around support for up to 16 people, made up of two four-bedroom homes and eight one-bedroom apartments. Those are expected to be completed this summer. There is also an on-site counselling space so St Petrocs can deliver support services to residents directly.

The homes are described as high-quality and low carbon, with the aim of helping people build community connections and move towards long-term, secure housing. The scheme is funded by The Duke of Cornwall’s Charitable Foundation and forms part of the Royal Foundation’s wider Homewards programme, a five-year project led by William to show that homelessness can be ended through place-based partnerships.

A first for the Duchy

Duchy of Cornwall Project Manager Peter James, who is managing the build, called it a project with several firsts.

“This is a pioneering initiative in several respects. It marks a first for the Duchy in directly addressing homelessness and supporting local people on a path toward secure, long-term housing. At the same time, it deepens our understanding of low-carbon building techniques as part of our commitment to reaching net zero. We hope the insights gained here will prove valuable and inspire similar efforts across the UK.”

Henry Meacock, Chief Executive of St Petrocs, said the visit was a chance to show what the charity has been working towards.

“It was a privilege to welcome His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales to the St Petrocs development at Nansledan and to showcase the progress being made here. This development represents a significant step forward in providing safe homes and meaningful support for people experiencing homelessness in Cornwall.

Partnership working is at the heart of this project and today was an important opportunity to highlight what can be achieved when organisations come together to create lasting change.”

Remembering Steve Ellis

Amanda Masters, Vice President of St Petrocs, was also there for the visit. Her presence was a reminder of the legacy of her late husband, Steve Ellis, the charity’s former Chief Executive, whose vision and leadership shaped the organisation’s work for many years.

Representatives from St Petrocs, including senior leaders, trustees and people with lived experience of homelessness, took part and shared their own insights into the impact of the work. William took time to hear directly from former residents about their journeys and the difference that stable accommodation and ongoing support has made to their lives.

Getting his hands dirty

William finished his visit out in the garden, helping to build a Cornish hedge alongside people St Petrocs has supported who have been learning the skilled trade.

The homes are nearing completion and will soon welcome their first residents, offering a stable foundation for people who have experienced homelessness.