Construction Begins on Duchy of Cornwall’s Homeless Housing Development in Newquay

Low carbon homes and support services to offer new start for people in Cornwall

Work has officially started in Nansledan, Newquay, on a landmark development by the Duchy of Cornwall aimed at tackling homelessness directly for the first time. The housing scheme, announced last year by HRH The Duke of Cornwall, is being delivered in partnership with Cornish homelessness charity St Petrocs and is expected to be completed by spring 2026.

New Homes With Support Built In

The first phase will include temporary accommodation for 16 individuals across two four-bedroom homes and eight one-bedroom apartments. St Petrocs will manage the scheme, helping residents access personalised support and community connections to move toward permanent housing.

The land has been made available by the Duchy of Cornwall as part of its wider Nansledan development, a 540-acre extension to Newquay focused on sustainability, biodiversity and community living. The homes are being built by CG Fry & Son, one of the site’s housebuilders, under the Duchy’s design guidance.

Peter James, Project Manager at the Duchy of Cornwall, said:
“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.”

📷NANSLEDAN, CORNWALL : 24 July 2025. Event: First concrete pour at site of new homes for St Petrocs at Nansledan. Photographed for The Duchy of Cornwall by Hugh Hastings.

Designed for People and the Planet

The homes are being built to low carbon standards both in materials used and how they operate. Foundations will use ultra low carbon cement through a partnership with CemBlend and Cornish aggregates firm Maen Karne. Timber frames are being supplied by Sydenhams Timber Engineering using pre-fabricated panels filled with UK-grown industrial hemp insulation. The buildings will be all-electric and powered by roof-mounted solar panels.

St Petrocs, who have been supporting people facing homelessness in Cornwall since 1986, will deliver wrap around support at the new homes and help residents engage with local organisations, including neighbouring Newquay Orchard. The charity supports more than 160 people across Cornwall through accommodation and outreach services.

Henry Meacock, Chief Executive of St Petrocs, said:
“Having gone through a rigorous design process which has included input from St Petrocs’ staff, volunteers and clients, it is tremendously exciting to see the construction work commencing. This development scheme will provide much needed additional capacity to St Petrocs’ supported accommodation service, complementing our existing presence in the Newquay area and across Cornwall. The focus of this scheme will be on breaking the cycle of homelessness through a person-centred approach and providing community-based opportunities for people to progress away from homelessness for good.”

Linked to National Programme to End Homelessness

The project is supported by guidance from Homewards, the national programme launched by Prince William and The Royal Foundation. The Duchy is one of its Activator partners and the scheme in Nansledan is being used as a model to inform other Homewards locations across the UK.

Construction is being funded by The Duke of Cornwall’s Charitable Foundation. Groundworks are being carried out by Steve Hoskin Construction.

Once complete, the development will add to Nansledan’s growing community, where over 840 homes have already been built alongside businesses, schools, green spaces and wildlife features designed to promote healthy, low carbon lifestyles.

📷NANSLEDAN, CORNWALL : 24 July 2025. Event: First concrete pour at site of new homes for St Petrocs at Nansledan. Photographed for The Duchy of Cornwall by Hugh Hastings.