A public planning consultation will be held at Trefresa Farm, close to Rock in north Cornwall, on 10 September 2020.
Owner Will Herrmann is working to bring the 114 acre farm back to life as a community hub, boutique hotel, spa, restaurant, and micro-distillery, alongside the agricultural business.
“This is a very special and historic location,” said Will. “Our redevelopment will be carried out with a huge amount of sensitivity, working with the heritage buildings already on the site, using low-impact building practices, and taking steps to rebuild organic soil matter and restore biodiversity.
“While we’re in the planning phase, we are very keen to hear the views of the local community, and to answer any questions they may have.”
A consultation event will take place at Trefresa Farm on Thursday 10 September, where people will be able to speak directly with those involved in the development. This will be open to all in the local community, with pre-bookable time slots to ensure social distancing can be maintained.
Three sessions will be held from 10am to midday; 2pm to 4pm; and 5pm to 7pm. Appointments can be made in 30 minute slots starting on the hour and half-past the hour. Slots can be booked by emailing your name and preferred time to [email protected].
Once complete, the Trefresa Farm development will create 85 direct local jobs, and will be a valuable amenity for the north Cornwall community. Diversification of the farm will continue to support Cornwall’s agricultural sector, as well as the region’s unique tourism, culture and arts economy.
Local suppliers and contractors will be used throughout the building phase, with opportunities for apprenticeships and training schemes. The traditional stone barns and Grade II listed farmhouse will be carefully restored, whilst redundant utilitarian structures will be removed.
Traditional Cornish materials and craftsmanship will be used, together with native planting and natural features, to protect and enhance the setting of the farmstead and the landscape’s character.
The centre of the site, which has been uncovered as the historic ‘town centre’ of the community, will be car-free, with a small fleet of electric vehicles to provide servicing. Vibrant biodiversity is being promoted through the preservation and creation of habitats, including the restoration of hedgerows and banks, and planting of new trees and meadows.
The development is designed to support a year-round rural enterprise for both the local community and visitors. There will be accommodation types to suit different users, and a range of amenities for local residents – including all-day dining options, leisure and spa facilities, a co-working space, and a varied schedule of events.
Trefresa Farm will become home to Porthilly Spirit Distillery, a micro-distillery which launched its first products earlier this year. The farm will also host seasonal events throughout the year, including the Porthilly Spirit Festival in May.
A new website at www.trefresafarm.com will be launched in September, giving more detail about the plans for the development of the farm.