Councillors explore heritage regeneration proposals at Tehidy

Eagle-eyed visitors to Tehidy Country park may have noticed the recent work to reveal overgrown part of the old kennels buildings at Kennels Hill. This less-visited corner of the Park is home to a wealth of heritage that helps reveal to story of the everyday life of the estate workers that supported the notoriously lavish lifestyle of Tehidy's Basset family, and a new initiative being explored by Cornwall Council seeks to re-purpose them towards a more sustainable future for the site.

Recently, members of the project team were joined by Council members and Cornwall's Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty team see the newly revealed buildings for themselves and to consider the ideas and explore opportunities for future collaboration and seeking funding.

If successful the proposals will see the historic kennels sensitively restored and repurposed as a park facility, for instance including a catering offer, information and displays about the history of Tehidy and resources for volunteers. Alongside the restored kennels it is anticipated that other buildings may be rehabilitated to offer spaces for nature-based counselling, as facilities to support an improved schools activity programme and to host exhibitions and creative workshops.

Cornwall Councillor for Illogan and Portreath, David Crabtree, who visits Tehidy on a regular basis has backed the ideas from an early stage reflected on the visit:

"It was a pleasure to be given a tour of Tehidy Woods by Charlotte and Ann, two ladies who are both passionate about maintaining and sensitively restoring parts of Tehidy Woods for future generations. There are exciting plans for the old kennels and surrounding areas along with the hidden old round and the area where the Temple stood. As a local resident, who frequents the woods a number of times per week, I look forward to watching the progress, which I know will be slow and look forward to more visits as work progresses. One tree not to be missed is the Old Twisted Beech that formed part of the late Queens Green Canopy".

Image below from left: Cllr David Crabtree (Illogan and Portreath) and Cllr Martin Alvey (Cabinet Member for Environment and Climate Change) visit the historic kennels at Tehidy Country Park to explore proposals for a heritage-led regeneration scheme.