Shaping the Future of Brake Farm
Part 1: The Introduction & Proposal
A Community Consultation From: Kevin Foster, Moorgoods, St Breward.
Introduction: As many of you know, my late partner, Betty, and I had long discussed how we could use Brake Farm to create something of lasting value for St Breward. Since 2015, we explored ideas that would benefit the village we love. I am now looking to take those ideas forward.
I do not wish to leave the site; I plan to remain in my home, “Florence Rose,” right next door until I can have one of the proposed new dwellings. However, I need to decide the future of Brake Farm.
My Motivation: Through my years as a First Responder for the South West Ambulance Service, and caring for my own family, I have seen a gap in our community. Older residents often wish to stay in the parish, close to friends and family, but struggle to manage large family homes. They need independence, but with the security of neighbours nearby—a way to combat loneliness without moving into a care home.
At the other end of the spectrum, I am acutely aware of young people and first-time buyers being priced out of the area they grew up in.
The Proposal My vision is to clear the old, concrete farm buildings (which have no historical value) and use approximately 2–5 acres of land to create a small, designed community.
The scheme is currently proposed to include:
-
For Residents aged 55+: Single-storey, 1-or-2-bedroom dwellings in a safe environment, designed for later life living. These would be designed to allow for future adaptations as needs change.
-
For Local Young People: A smaller group of “starter homes” for those with local connections to St Breward (in line with Cornwall Council guidelines),
-
Community Features suggested so far: An enclosed community garden, memory garden, wildlife walks, and potentially small allotments for residents.
-
A Hub: A small building for social gatherings to enable multi-generational socialising, workshops, a library point, etc. It could also be used for ad hoc health clinics such as a chiropodist, or supporting local GP surgeries with flu clinics, or as an alternative location should the need arise
-
The Mananagement of the site to be operated by Comittee with the land under a Community Land Trust operating under a Charity.
We Need Your Views I want to create a place with a real sense of community, security, and identity. Before I proceed with any formal planning, I want to know if this is what St Breward needs. I would be very interested if you have any ideas for the use of any facilities in support of farming and also the large hangar since the space could be used for all sorts of activities as a whole or sub-deivided.
Please take a few minutes to complete this survey by ticking or writing. Whether you support the idea, oppose it, or have suggestions for improvement, your feedback is vital.
Part 2: The Survey
Please return by: End of January 2026 Return to: Kevin Foster, Moorgoods, Penvorder Lane, St Breward, PL30 4NY kevinfoster@moorgoods.co.uk
Section 1: About You
1. Do you currently live or work in the parish? (Please tick one) [ ]
I live in St Breward Village [ ] I live outside the village but within St Breward Parish [ ] I live nearby (Please specify area): ________[ ]
I work in the parish (16+ hours a week):
2. What is your current housing situation? [ ] Homeowner [ ] Private Renter [ ] Social Housing / Council Renter [ ] Living with family [ ]
Other: __________________
3. What type of property do you currently live in? [ ] House [ ] Bungalow [ ] Flat/Apartment [ ] Mobile Home/Caravan [ ] Sheltered/Retirement Housing [ ] Number of bedrooms: ______
Section 2: Assessing Housing Need
Please answer this section if you, a family member, or someone in your household is currently looking for a new home, or will be in the next 5 years.
4. Who is the accommodation for? [ ] Myself / My partner [ ] A family member living with me [ ] A family member who has moved away but wishes to return [ ] Other
5. What type of accommodation is needed? [ ] Accessible/Single-storey housing for Over-55s [ ] Affordable Starter Home for young people/families [ ] Other: ________
6. When is this accommodation likely to be needed? [ ] Immediately [ ] Within 1–3 years [ ] Within 3–5 years
7. Why is the move necessary? (Tick all that apply) [ ] Current home is too large / difficult to maintain [ ] Need a physically adapted home (e.g., no stairs) [ ] Need to be closer to family/carers [ ] Need independent accommodation [ ] Financial reasons (need cheaper home) [ ] Closer to work
8. If you moved to Brake Farm, would your current home be sold/rented to someone else? [ ]
Yes (Please state number of bedrooms released): ______ [ ] No [ ]
9. What is your budget range?
-
If Buying: £__________ (Max affordable price)
-
If Renting: £__________ (Max monthly rent)
Section 3: Your Feedback on the Proposal
10. How many new homes would you support at Brake Farm? [ ] Approx 10 [ ] Approx 15 [ ] Approx 20 [ ] None [ ]
11. Which aspects of the development do you support? (Tick all that apply) [ ] Accommodation for Over-55s [ ] Affordable Starter Homes [ ] Community Hub & Gardens [ ] None of the above [ ]
12. Do you have any other comments, concerns, or ideas for the site? (Please continue on the back of this sheet if necessary)
Contact Details (Optional but Recommended)
If you are in housing need, please provide details so we can keep you updated. Your personal details will be treated in confidence and will not be published in the final report.
Name: __________________________________________________ Address: ________________________________________________ Phone: __________________________________________________ Email: __________________________________________________
Whilst writing I add the following:
Ref: Community Opt-In: [ ] Yes, I am happy for Kevin Foster (as Neighbourhood Watch Co-ordinator) to add my email to the St Breward Neighbourhood Watch alert list.
Ref: Walk Wheel Cycle Trust are requesting your response to the following proposals affecting St Breward. Click on the little box on the right hand side of the title ‘Please share your feedback on the initial designs in the survey’ in the following link:
https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/bd29cd3a539546f0a9335aafd53ed871
The survey can be completed easiest by putting comments in the first text box and then as a minimum tick/check the relevant options then submit.