Embedded Files
Since 1969 the aims of the Cornish Buildings Group have been to stimulate interest, appreciation and knowledge of good building in Cornwall, and to encourage the erection, protection, repair and recording of such buildings.
Like any amenities group, we depend on numbers, strength and support of our membership, who provide the force and knowledge that have made us effective for over fifty years.
We encourage the protection and repair of historic buildings whether these are listed buildings or simply good examples of traditional building. We aim to encourage good architecture and to raise the general standard of building throughout the county. We hope that our generation may leave behind it buildings which will be looked back on with that same pleasure and enjoyment that we experience when we look at the architecture of past ages.
NEWS
NEWS
EXPO Ertach Kernow | Cornish Heritage EXPO 2025
EXPO Ertach Kernow | Cornish Heritage EXPO 2025
The Cornish Buildings Group will have a stand at this year's Expo Ertach Kernow, which will be held at Pendennis Castle on Friday 3rd and Saturday 4th October.
This year's theme is 'conservation in action' and we will be showcasing buildings on our Buildings at Risk list, asking visitors what they consider to be good (and bad!) conservation, and providing information about what we do. Do come and say hello!
The Cornish Buildings Group will have a stand at this year's Expo Ertach Kernow, which will be held at Pendennis Castle on Friday 3rd and Saturday 4th October.
This year's theme is 'conservation in action' and we will be showcasing buildings on our Buildings at Risk list, asking visitors what they consider to be good (and bad!) conservation, and providing information about what we do. Do come and say hello!
The first day will be focused on careers in heritage and aimed at young people in education, although members of the public will also be welcome.
We believe that the CBG can offer young people great opportunities to explore Cornwall’s built heritage, help us at events, perhaps get involved in the Awards, and most of all to meet people in the sector. As such we will be officially launching our 'Young CBG' membership at the event. If you know of anyone age 18-25 and in higher education who is interested in or just starting out on a career in heritage and would be interested in what we do, please enourage them to come along and talk to us!
There will be stands from all of the conservation groups in Cornwall, as well as hands-on demonstrations, talks and activities. For more information please visit the Cornwall Council 'Let's Talk Cornwall' website.
We hope to see you there!
CORNISH BUILDINGS GROUP AWARDS 2025
CORNISH BUILDINGS GROUP AWARDS 2025
After a fantastic ceremony at Rosewarne House yesterday evening, we are pleased to announce the recipients of this year's awards - the most that the group has ever given, showing the quality and strength of restoration and new build projects across Cornwall in the past two years.
After a fantastic ceremony at Rosewarne House yesterday evening, we are pleased to announce the recipients of this year's awards - the most that the group has ever given, showing the quality and strength of restoration and new build projects across Cornwall in the past two years.
AWARDS
Ladybird Farm, St Tudy (Arco2 for the owners)
Buttermarket, Redruth (Thread Architects for Redruth Revival) - which also won the Cornish Mining World Heritage Site award.
Merchant House, Launceston (Scott & Co and local contractors, for the owners)
Church of St Torney, North Hill (local contractors for the Churches Conservation Trust)
COMMENDATION
29 Polkirt Hill, Mevagissey (Rowett Architecture for the owners)
JENNY GASON AWARD
Bude Storm Tower (Studio Arc and others, for Bude-Stratton Town Council)
Full details of the projects alongside our award citations will be available on the awards page of our website dreckly.
(Photo: Arco2)
(Photo: Thread)
(Photo: CBG)
(Photo: CBG)
THE FORMER GANGES RESTAURANT, 18 CHAPEL STREET, PENZANCE
THE FORMER GANGES RESTAURANT, 18 CHAPEL STREET, PENZANCE
An update...
An update...
Following objections from us, the Georgian Group and others, Cornwall Council refused the application to demolish, citing failure to provide sufficient information and evidence, including an adequate Heritage Impact Assessment and up to date structural report to justify the total loss of the Grade II listed building. It was also noted that the application had not demonstrated that total loss is necessary to achieve public benefits that outweigh that loss. It was also noted in the decision notice that the loss of the building would destroy the character and appearance of the part of Chapel Street where the building stands therefore harming the Penzance Conservation Area. Although it might be possible for the applicant to remedy the documentary deficiencies, it is unlikely that the objections of harm caused could be overturned, so this is a good result. We will continue to monitor the situation. The most important next step is for a viable future plan for the building to be developed, which we will encourage.
THE CORNISH BUILDINGS GROUP STRONGLY OPPOSES THE PROPOSED DEMOLITION OF ST PAUL’S CHURCH, TRURO
THE CORNISH BUILDINGS GROUP STRONGLY OPPOSES THE PROPOSED DEMOLITION OF ST PAUL’S CHURCH, TRURO
An update...
An update...
The Diocese of Truro proposes demolition of the Grade II-listed St Paul’s Church, Tregolls Road, Truro after years of neglect which have left the historic Cornish church in a state of considerable decay.
The Diocese of Truro proposes demolition of the Grade II-listed St Paul’s Church, Tregolls Road, Truro after years of neglect which have left the historic Cornish church in a state of considerable decay.
The Church commissioners are considering their final decision, following the completion of the consultation process. The outlook appears grim as there has been no sign from the Church Commissioners and the Diocese of a plan for preservation of the building. If demolition takes place this will be one of the most conspicuous failures of conservation of historic buildings in Cornwall and a deeply worrying precedent for the future of historic churches in Cornwall.
>> Our petition to save St Paul's from the wrecker's ball is still live. Please sign it if you have not done so already, and encourage others to. We have exceeded 3,000 signatures but there is no reason to stop now!
BOOKS!
BOOKS!
'The Cornish Buildings Group: First 50 years'
'The Cornish Buildings Group: First 50 years'
Dedicated to the four Council members we have sadly lost since 2019 - Hugh, Jenny, Nick and John - this book tells the full story of the CBG's battle to encourage good design and preserve Cornwall's rich built heritage over the years 1969 to 2019.
Our members will have received a complimentary copy of our new publication, celebrating the first 50 years of the CBG.
To buy a copy for £15 including P&P please email us.
'The Distinctiveness of Cornish Buildings'
'The Distinctiveness of Cornish Buildings'
Conference Papers Marking the Fiftieth Anniversary of the Cornish Buildings Group Presented at St Austell in 2019
Conference Papers Marking the Fiftieth Anniversary of the Cornish Buildings Group Presented at St Austell in 2019
The 15 papers in this richly-illustrated volume were presented at a conference marking the fiftieth anniversary of the Cornish Buildings Group, held at St Austell in 2019. They cover a broad range of subjects including the uniqueness of Cornwall’s building materials, the domestic and ecclesiastical architecture, the advent of new schools after the Education Act of 1870, the new cathedral at Truro in 1876, the contribution of several architects of distinction to the county’s buildings, and the challenges of meaningful conservation today. Archaeology is also featured, with a major essay on the recent excavations at Tintagel, and there is a comprehensive index.
For details of the contents and how to buy a copy, please follow this link to our Buildings at Risk blog.
BUILDINGS AT RISK PROJECT 2020-2023
BUILDINGS AT RISK PROJECT 2020-2023
Between 2020 and 2023, the Cornish Buildings Group led a three-year Historic England / Cornwall Heritage Trust grant-funded project to identify and campaign for Cornish buildings at risk. The Group has maintained a register for buildings at risk since 2014, but this has been done with volunteer support only. The funding supported a case officer who dedicated time to champion buildings at risk in the county, the aim of the project being to identify and monitor buildings at risk and seek solutions for neglected, redundant or derelict listed buildings.
All project news was communicated through a BLOG which will remain live now that the funded project has ended, as a record of its outcomes.
The CBG will continue to monitor and campaign for Buildings at Risk, building on the good work enabled by the project. This will reported on through the Buildings at Risk section on this website (currently being revised).
Google Sites
Report abuse