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Kerrier: Council celebrates the official opening of Wheal Peevor

Kerrier District Council is pleased to announce that following the completion of regeneration works totalling around £810,000 at Wheal Peevor; a former mining site at Scorrier; the site was officially opened at a ceremony attended by Councillors, grant funders, contractors, consultants and Officers on Friday 25th January 2008 by Councillor Mrs Carolyn Rule, Portfolio Holder for Economy and Regeneration.


What was only a few years ago, a 5.1 hectare area of derelict land, has now been transformed thanks to grant funding by the Heritage Lottery Fund, South West Regional Development Agency, English Heritage and Kerrier District Council into an area suitable for recreation, amenity and educational use. Works included treating and making safe a total of 11 mineshafts, consolidation of three engine houses and associated structures and finally, landscaping and trail creation which has created a network of tracks on site, together with a series of off site trails linking Wheal Peevor to the Coast to Coast Trail, Redruth and Wheal Rose.

Martin Ackerley, Kerrier’s Resident Engineer has been involved with the project since its inception and said: “Much of the site is designated as Scheduled Ancient Monument Status and Wheal Peevor is a key site in the World Heritage Inscription for Mining in Cornwall and West Devon, which was awarded by UNESCO in 2006.

It was therefore with this importance in mind that Kerrier District Council, as a member of the Mineral Tramways Partnership, decided to seek funding for works to conserve the remaining mining heritage at Wheal Peevor for the benefit of the local community and visitors alike.”

Cllr Mrs Carolyn Rule, Portfolio Holder for Economy & Regeneration added: “I am extremely excited about the success of this project, it shows how well organisations and individuals can work together to turn around a site like this into a useable area for all to use and educate both the young and tourists alike. This project is about far more that the physical works that we can see, its aim was also to enlighten and educate people by bringing the site to life.

I would like to give my sincere thanks to the following organisations and individuals for making this Project so successful:- The Grant Funders, The various Contractors and Consultants, Local Mining Experts who gave advice, The Mineral Tramways Partnership Steering Group, Local Council Members and various Officers at Kerrier and Cornwall County Councils.”

South West of England Regional Development Agency (RDA) development manager Matthew Vowels, who attended Friday’s official opening said: “Our investment at Wheal Peevor is part of our commitment to the comprehensive regeneration of the Camborne, Pool and Redruth area and adds to the £1.6 million we have invested in the Cornwall Mineral Tramways project.

Improving the environment and industrial heritage of the area makes it more accessible, safe and attractive not just to the local community but for visitors and potential inward investors. Unlocking the area’s potential in this way helps generate jobs and income for the economy.”

Rebecca Child, English Heritage historic buildings architect, said: "As a scheduled monument in the Cornwall and West Devon Mining Landscape World Heritage Site, Wheal Peevor is a vital part of the county's industrial history.

English Heritage is delighted to have been involved in a project which is an excellent example of an historic site which has had its future secured through strong partnership working. The site has been removed from our Buildings at Risk Register thanks to the hard work of all those involved."

A self guide leaflet and site activity packs are now being produced and these will be available on the Kerrier website (www.kerrier.gov.uk) for schools and visitors to download.

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Notes for Editors

Funding towards the Project was received from the following:-

Heritage Lottery Fund - (£ 423,700)
South West Regional Development Agency - (£ 285,581)
English Heritage - (£ 61,750 )

This was supplemented by funding committed by Kerrier District Council in the sum of £39,000, giving a total project fund of approximately £810,000.