Preservation of World Heritage mining settlements in Cornwall

Abstract

The Cornish Mining World Heritage Site contains a number of industrial settlements which retain townscapes largely created through the influence of hard rock metalliferous mining. This paper will focus on two such settlements, St Just in Penwith and Camborne, which, while being of markedly different scales, present a range of challenges to planners, conservation practitioners and developers as to how best preserve their essential character while permitting appropriate development. In recent years St Just in Penwith has received attention to improve its streetscapes, particularly around the town squares and car park, and local planners and heritage practitioners have dealt with the challenge of how to retain the industrial character and significance of the disused Holman's no. 3 rock drill works, so important to the World Heritage Site. These developments will be compared and contrasted to highlight some of the issues and challenges which relate to the preservation of industrial character, set alongside the need for living spaces to evolve.