Affordable homes where people of all ages want to live.

Green spaces and exciting indoor and outdoor activities for young and old.

Creative workspaces where people can make and sell things.

Cafes and bars where people can meet, talk and laugh, and a special community hub at the centre of the site.

These are just some of the ideas put forward during the first Discover Pydar community event held in Truro over the weekend.

More than 150 people took up the invitation to find out more about ideas for the new "neighbourhood", braving the cold to visit the special Pydar exhibition and give their views on the emerging proposals to Cornwall Council and architects PRP.

“It was fantastic to see so many people keen to help shape the vision for this key site in Truro," said Councillor Bob Egerton, Cornwall Council’s Cabinet member for planning and economy.

“We need the community to say how it wants Pydar Street to evolve and I would like to thank everyone who gave up their time to come and talk to members of the team and share their ideas.

Following the first day of the exhibition which took place on Lemon Quay as part of the Children’s Day activities, the team moved to the Pydar site for the second day which focused on the theme of the environment.

One of the highlights of the afternoon was the planting of three Cornish apple trees on part of the regeneration site. Godfrey Mortimer, local resident of 50 years and the Mayor of Truro Lindsay Southcombe were joined by Shiela Richardson, who grew up in the heart of Pydar at Boscawen, and 12 year old Rowan Hammond to plant the first new trees at Pydar.

‘It’s great that local residents and businesses are being encouraged to share their ideas ahead of the design process “ said Rachel Hammond, local resident and Ryan’s Mum. “The project sounds really exciting and the creation of new homes, a riverside park and improved leisure facilities for families will be a great boost for Truro’.

While lots of different views were put forward during the two days, everyone was united on the need for something to happen on the site. There was a really positive response to the idea of people living and working in the centre of the city, and for creating stronger links to the woods at the edge of the site and to the river, with more spaces to sit and relax. Others wanted workspaces where innovators, entrepreneurs and owners of small businesses could develop their ideas, and places and activities where people of all ages could play and have fun and improve their physical and mental health.

Many people were equally clear about the things they did not want. These included high density characterless housing developments and shopping malls, bars and restaurants which could damage the existing city centre. Others were concerned about the proposals generating additional traffic on the roads.

“We will be taking all these views on board as we continue to develop a detailed scheme to be submitted for outline planning permission at the end of this year “ said Bob Egerton.

“Don’t worry if you did not manage to visit the exhibition this time – we will be staging further community events over the coming months to enable as many people as possible to shape the vision for Pydar. People can also find out about the project on the Truro Place Shaping website – www.lovetruro.net and the Facebook page @truroplaceshapingproject.

"Future Pydar community activities include a Get Active Weekender in July with a programme of outdoor events delivered in partnership with leisure and sports providers; a Dawn to Dusk festival on 14 September, with free music, and a Community Dig Week in October which will celebrate the past history and heritage of the site”.