In November 2007, Cornwall’s Heartlands Project received £22.3 million in funding from the Big Lottery Fund’s Living Landmarks programme, to transform the area of Pool. This is one of only three projects in the UK to receive funding and the only project in England which was successful. The overall scheme cost £30million.
The Park provides dynamic new spaces for exercise, relaxation, learning, appreciation, public art and performance. Heartlands aims to be the UK’s first purpose designed Zero Energy Park, with energy generated on site equalling or exceeding that expended to run and maintain it.
LUC's innovative landscape designers created the Diaspora Botanical Gardens, the Park and the adventure playground, which celebrate the heroism, ingenuity and sheer bloody-mindedness which resulted in the Cornish 19th Century success in deep metal mining. The park is inspired by Cornish identity, innovation and culture, creating an innovative, imaginative and inclusive site, which will form the centrepiece of the area’s renaissance. The playground, based on Cornish legends, is the largest free adventure playground in Cornwall.
The Heartlands Project is one of Cornwall’s key interpretation sites for the Cornwall and West Devon Mining Landscape World Heritage Site, incorporating the once derelict Robinson’s Shaft mine complex, a Listed Grade II building and a Scheduled Ancient Monument.
Heartlands Park stretches from the centre of Pool, through Robinson’s Shaft to South Crofty mine, right out into new residential and business areas, dramatically transforming 7.5 hectares of derelict land. It provides the setting for a range of activities that are essential for the areas social regeneration.
Construction began on site in Summer 2010, and the Park opened in April 2012. It was an interesting and uniquely challenging project for LUC, and we are proud to be part of the Heartlands team.
Find out more about Heartlands here
