St Agnes Work/Live Units Granted Approval

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Last night, Carrick District Council granted St Agnes Properties, the developers behind plans to revive the former South West Film Studio site, with planning permission. The Ocean Park development will provide office accommodation and live/work units, which it is anticipated will boost opportunities in Cornwall’s creative industries sector.

St Agnes Properties has confirmed that it has received ‘serious’
enquiries for its work/live units on the site from local people and nationally who are keen to establish themselves alongside the Blue Wave Film studios. Plans will include 24,000 sq ft of office space and 32 design-led live/work units.

The development will provide office space and somewhere to live and work to grow fledgling businesses, which are key to Cornwall’s growing creative industries sector and the wider economy.

Following approval for the plans from Carrick District Council, Chris Wason, director at St Agnes Properties, said: “We have had a number of serious enquiries about the work/live units which will ultimately provide a variety of benefits for St Agnes’ and Cornwall’s economy.

“We believe this is a valuable opportunity to create much-needed employment opportunities and a chance to put Cornwall’s film industry firmly back on the map. We have been in negotiation with a number of interested parties in the film industry who are keen to establish themselves on the site.”

High-tech film expert Peter Parks, whose company Image Quest 3-D has agreed to set up facilities at Ocean Park, is already backing the development.

The provision of live/work units meets a Government demand, as set out by the Department for Communities and Local Government in 2007 following the Barker reviews of planning and housing, for councils to provide such spaces to satisfy housing needs alongside developing businesses. The development will be built using, whenever possible, locally sourced materials and meet stringent environment standards concerning energy efficiency.

Miles Kevin, Partner at International Property Consultants Knight Frank, who will market the live/work units, said: “Despite the downturn in the national housing market, we are confident that the live/work units will be highly sought after as they are not only an innovative concept but they represent an ideal opportunity for those wanting to establish themselves at the heart of Cornwall’s growing creative industry.”

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