A SHOCKED couple have been told the dream home they have just purchased will have to be bulldozed to make way for a new road which will signal major changes to the centre of Bodmin.
The proposals include the part-pedestrianisation of Fore Street, a new relief road which will cut across part of the Priory Park recreation area from Priory Road to St Nicholas Street and which will scrap the Church Square roundabout in favour of a new layout.
But for the whole scheme to succeed, a large house on St Nicholas Street will have to be demolished.
The home was purchased six weeks ago by Alan and Vicky Gynn. Now they have received a letter from agents acting for Cornwall Council offering to buy The Eaves, a substantial five-bedroom house.
Mrs Gynn said they did not want to sell the property.
"We only completed on the house on October 31 and it's the home I've always dreamt of owning, we love it," she said.
"But then we got a letter with an offer from Cornwall Council to buy the property, but without saying what they wanted it for.
"So I made some enquires and I was shocked when I found out they in fact want to knock the house down for a new road – it's absolutely heartbreaking," said Mrs Gynn.
Cornwall Council is expected to go public on its plans for the road network in Bodmin early in the new year.
Cornwall councillor for Bodmin East, Lance Kennedy, said provisional discussions had taken place between the local authority and Bodmin Town Council on the new scheme.
"There has been public demand for improvements to the road network and air quality in the town and I can confirm a new scheme has been prepared by Cornwall Council for consultation which will relieve traffic congestion in the town centre," said Mr Kennedy.
"It will improve the pedestrian experience in Bodmin and improve air quality. If, after public consultation, the scheme is approved, it will mark a significant investment in Bodmin and will help prepare the town for future growth," said Mr Kennedy.
Mrs Gynn said she and her husband have now contacted MP Dan Rogerson to help save their house from demolition, but fear they may have little option but to give up their dream home: " We have told Cornwall Council's agents we do not want to sell them the house, but because it is for a road scheme, the council could go for a compulsory purchase order, which would be devastating," said Mrs Gynn.
"We started renovating the new house for us to move in, but that has had to stop because of the uncertainty over what is happening."
