Foundry to be restored

The Perran Foundry produced mine flood pump engines

Plans are being drawn up for a £12m project to restore one of Cornwall's most important industrial sites.

The Perran Foundry, at Perranarworthal, near Falmouth, is described as a "cathedral to the industrial revolution".

The site was abandoned 20 years ago and is now derelict.

The plans to bring the foundry back into operation could create up to 100 new jobs.

I've seen some appalling schemes come and go

Judith Whiteley,
Carrick District Council

As well as restoring the foundry to full working order, other buildings will be developed as offices, craft workshops and a heritage centre.

The site was at its busiest in the 1840s and 1850s but has stood derelict since the 1980s.

The foundry was one of the largest of its time and helped develop beam engines, which were used to pump out floodwater from the deep mines.

The engines were exported all over the world, with some being designed to be dismantled into pieces small enough to be transported by mule to remote sites.

Architect Mike Wood has the task of bringing Perran Foundry back to life.

He said: "I'm really excited. It's somewhere that has a tremendous and important place in Cornwall's history."

Safeguarding work

The long-term future of Perran Foundry has worried local councillors and conservationists for several years.

A variety of development projects have been put forward for the foundry over the years, but they have come to nothing.

Judith Whiteley from Carrick District Council said she would relieved if the project goes ahead.

She said: "I'm very optimistic. I've seen some appalling schemes come and go.

"The proposal has really lifted everyone's spirits, but it has to be something that's done sensitively and attractively."

Developers say they hope to start emergency work on safeguarding some of the crumbling foundry buildings in the spring.