BOSSES behind a £110 million retail development have announced it will be a third smaller than expected, with more green and open space – and it will also feature Cornwall's largest care investment.
Plans for Coyte Farm in St Mewan, by Mercian Developments Ltd and Metric Property, would include a retail park, Sainsbury's superstore, Marks & Spencer store, petrol station, pub and care home.
It had previously been stated that the overall development would take up to 98 acres of green land, which campaigners hit out at.
But Mercian managing director Chris Towers said the site will actually be 65 acres instead, of which 32.3 acres will be landscaping.
He said this would include about 5.7 acres of building, 9 acres of parking, 14 acres of roads and three acres of extras, such as land for St Austell Golf Club to expand.
It is set to feature a 60-bed nursing home with 30 assisted living units, which Cornwall Care chief executive Douglas Webb said would cost the charity £6 million.
This would entail relocating staff and residents from Trevarna and Woodland House in St Austell, which were both built in the 1970s.
He said the cost to current residents would not increase, but that it would for new clients, in order to fund the development.
Residents currently share bathrooms at these homes.
The move would enable each person to have an en-suite, and all-round improved facilities.
"All our clients and their relatives are really happy," said Mr Webb.
"Change is especially difficult for older people but we reassure our residents by saying they would move with all their friends and staff."
The Coyte Farm application is due to be decided by Cornwall Council in September.
