St Petrocs receives keys to new Nansledan homes for the homeless

A conversation that started three years ago ended on a warm August afternoon in Newquay, with a set of keys passing from one hand to another. On 4 August 2026, the homelessness charity St Petrocs took ownership of its new homes at Nansledan, and sixteen people who have experienced homelessness in Cornwall now have somewhere permanent to move towards.

📷Philip Fry of CG Fry & Son, Margie Ricardo of St Petrocs, Peter James of the Duchy of Cornwall, Henry Meacock of St Petrocs, with other representatives of the organisations.

The handover

The keys came from the Duchy of Cornwall, and the homes were funded by The Duke of Cornwall’s Charitable Foundation. Philip Fry, Managing Director of builder CG Fry & Son, handed them to Margie Ricardo, Chair of St Petrocs’ Board of Trustees, the moment that formally transferred the new homes to the charity.

This first phase sits on Duchy-owned land and provides two four-bedroom homes and eight one-bedroom apartments, accommodation for sixteen people in total. It comes with wrap-around support built in, including on-site counselling space so St Petrocs can run its support services for residents where they live rather than somewhere across the county.

The homes were delivered in partnership between St Petrocs, the Duchy of Cornwall and The Duke of Cornwall’s Charitable Foundation. The idea is to pair a safe, secure place to live with personalised support, so people can build community connections and work towards long-term, independent housing.

📷Philip Fry of CG Fry & Son, Margie Ricardo of St Petrocs, Peter James of the Duchy of Cornwall, Henry Meacock of St Petrocs, with other representatives of the organisations.

A first for the Duchy

The scheme is connected to The Royal Foundation’s Homewards programme, a five-year initiative founded by The Duke of Cornwall to show that homelessness can be made rare, brief and unrepeated. Homewards put the Duchy in touch with international homelessness prevention experts, and with people who have lived through homelessness themselves, and their input shaped the design of the homes.

For the Duchy of Cornwall, it is a first. Peter James, the Duchy’s Project Director who managed the build, said: “This is the Duchy of Cornwall’s first ever housing project to directly address homelessness and it is fantastic to see these homes completed and ready to welcome their first residents. A great deal of care has gone into creating high-quality, low-carbon accommodation where people can feel secure and supported as part of the growing Nansledan community. We look forward to seeing the positive and lasting difference the homes will make to people experiencing homelessness in Cornwall.”

Henry Meacock, Chief Executive of St Petrocs, said the handover marked a start rather than an end. “This project demonstrates what can be achieved when people come together with a shared sense of purpose and a genuine desire to make a positive difference. What began as a conversation over three years ago has evolved into the delivery of a sector-leading housing scheme.

“These homes are built to stand the test of time and will make a meaningful difference to people’s lives for decades to come. While today’s handover marks the completion of the construction phase, it also signals the beginning of the real impact this development will have on the community.

“It has been a privilege to be part of this journey and to witness first-hand the dedication and commitment shown by so many in bringing us to this point. I would like to sincerely thank everyone who has played a part in creating these magnificent homes.”

📷Photo of Chief Executive of St Petrocs, Henry Meacock, holding a key

Furnished from day one

Nobody will move in to an empty shell. The Homewards Furniture Project has kitted the homes out so residents arrive to a place that is ready to live in. Through major retailers and partners including Howdens, IKEA, DFS, B&Q, Bosch Home Appliances and Gordon Brown’s The Multibank charity, the homes have been furnished with everything from sofas, tables and chairs to white goods and fitted kitchens.

Jodie, a previous resident of St Petrocs who has since moved on, got a look inside. “We explored the new houses for St Petrocs,” she said. “The properties look amazing and they’re going to make such a difference.”

📷Photo of St Petrocs’ key in door

Built to keep costs down

The homes are all-electric and built to exacting low-carbon standards, covering both the carbon locked into their construction and the carbon involved in running them. That keeps future costs for St Petrocs low and holds down the environmental impact. It shows up in the materials: ultra low-carbon cement and blockwork, super-insulated hemp-filled wall panels and solar panels.

Philip Fry said the firm was proud of the work. “Working in partnership with the Duchy of Cornwall, The Duke of Cornwall’s Charitable Foundation and St Petrocs, we’re proud to be contributing to a development that will provide much-needed homes while reflecting the quality and craftsmanship we’re known for. It’s a privilege to be involved in a project that will make a meaningful contribution to the Nansledan community.”

Geraint Richards, representing The Duke of Cornwall’s Charitable Foundation, framed it as a legacy for the county. “The Duke of Cornwall’s Charitable Foundation was pleased to fund this pioneering project, which will provide life-changing support for people experiencing homelessness in Cornwall. These homes offer not only a secure place to live, but also the foundation from which people can move forward with dignity, confidence and hope. We believe this development will deliver a lasting legacy for Cornwall by helping individuals achieve long-term housing stability and stronger community connections.”

Nansledan, the Duchy’s sustainable urban extension to Newquay, is currently home to around 2,000 residents and more than 40 businesses. It is due for completion around 2045, when it will hold 3,700 homes, 30 per cent of them affordable. The first residents of these sixteen supported homes will move in soon.

St Petrocs is an independent Cornwall charity working to end homelessness, with supported accommodation currently housing more than 178 people across the county. You can find out more about its work at stpetrocs.org.uk, and more about the builder at cgfry.co.uk.

📷Philip Fry of CG Fry & Son, Margie Ricardo of St Petrocs, Peter James of the Duchy of Cornwall, Henry Meacock of St Petrocs, with other representatives of the organisations.