Rebuilt homes returned to owners

A unique stabilisation programme for a terrace of houses in Cornwall comes to an end on Friday when the properties are returned to their owners.

Eight houses at Wheal Ayr Terrace, above the Tate St Ives, had to be demolished after old mine workings were found to have made the land unstable.

Cornwall County and Penwith District councils, with English Partnerships, have built new homes on the site.

The £1m-programme used distinctive materials like Delabole slate.

'Complex project'

The homes have been rebuilt to reflect the original buildings design and appearance.

Number One Wheal Ayr Terrace will be handed over officially to its owners, Mr and Mrs Husband on Friday.

The problem was first discovered in 2001 and the whole terrace was evacuated towards the end of 2002 and the residents have been in temporary accommodation or living with relatives since.

The terrace of houses, which had stood on the site for about 100 years, was eventually demolished at the start of 2004.

Jim McKenna Penwith District Council's chief executive said: "We are absolutely delighted that the work at Wheal Ayr Terrace has been completed to everyone's satisfaction, but particularly the local residents.

"This has been a most complex project and is a tribute to the perseverance of all parties but special thanks on behalf of Penwith Council must go to David Keeton and English Partnerships without whom the remedial works would not have happened."