Call to 'level with people' over St Austell eyesore

People in St Austell need to be realistic about the future of the former General Wolfe pub building, the town's MP has said.

The site shut two decades ago before being converted into flats - but fell into disrepair and was bought by Cornwall Council in 2022.

The council said it could no longer afford to renovate the site though and wanted to hear ideas for its future from parties interested in buying the property.

Labour's Noah Law advocated using the building to provide housing as the most feasible option.

The former pub - and adjacent Globe Hotel building - have become a notorious eyesore in the town after years of neglect.

Mr Law admitted it was time to "level" with people and be "realistic" about the future of the site amid calls for it to be used by the community.

He said: "If the town really wants to see that turned back into something useful then they're going to have to put their money where their mouth is.

"I'll do my bit to ensure we can get some public funds, but that's going to be a labour of love rather than a commercial undertaking.

"There aren't just infinite pots of money out there. Housing is probably the least unfeasible option at this stage," he argued.

People in the town had said the the building could be used to provide housing, a youth centre, foodbank, or even demolished to make way for a new development.

Councillor Tim Dwelly, cabinet member for economic regeneration and investment on the council, said they had already received some interest in the building and had an open mind about its future.

He said: "We would look favourably upon anything the community could plausibly deliver at the building.

"We're not at this stage saying we have to have a market price from the community. We will be losing money almost certainly.

"If there isn't a credible proposal, then we would have to resort to selling the building at auction," he explained.

Mr Dwelly added he hoped the building would not be demolished - and the £1.2m it would cost the council to knock it down would be better spent elsewhere.

The authority said it would accept expressions of interest in building until 11 August.

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