CAMPAIGNERS have called for more to be done to protect Truro's old buildings after a 19th century former convent was demolished.
The Cornish Buildings Group has teamed up with Truro Civic Society to lead calls to protect the city's heritage.
It followed the demolition of Tremorvah House last week after it was sold last year. It is believed the building could be replaced with luxury apartments with designs already in place for such a project.
Tremorvah House was built in 1841 and was originally owned by the Diocese of Truro and used as part of the convent at neighbouring Alverton Manor. It was also the home of four-time Mayor of Truro Philip Prothero Smith. The three-storey building was last used as offices by Cornish Mutual.
It was sold at auction last year with a guide price of £600,000. It was not listed but many in the city saw it as a significant building.
Bert Biscoe, chairman of the Truro Civic Society, who tried to get the building listed, said: "As Tremorvah House was neither protected in its own right or within a conservation area, it has been lost because no consent was required to demolish it. As there are lots of other buildings of merit or interest that contribute to the story of the town or neighbourhood, we are keen to see Cornwall Council develop a series of local lists for Cornish towns, which will provide at least a modicum of protection, especially at a time when clear values seem to be under intense pressure from speculation."
Both groups said they were disappointed by the amount of change taking place in the Tregolls Road area, leading into the city, with the demolition last year of the police station and the previous demolition of the Brookdale Hotel – both to be replaced with retirement flats.
Paul Holden, from Cornwall Buildings Group, said: "Both groups are concerned about the loss of historic character on Tregolls Road which in terms of buildings it is the most historic approach into the city. At the top of the hill the old workhouse has successfully been converted but further down the road a Thirties' bungalow, the Brookdale Hotel, the Sixties' AA building, Tregolls House, the police station and two pubs have been demolished, not to mention the row of 19th century cottages lost to make room for a Sixties' car showroom. Furthermore, the abandoned grade two star listed St Paul's church is in a perilous state and nearby the historic 1840s' Tremorvah House has now been reduced to rubble."
Working together the groups now hope to convince Cornwall Council to draw up local lists of buildings of interest or to extend conservation areas to protect key sites.
Mr Holden said: "With everything that has gone on in this important area of Truro, the historic approach is effectively eroding over time and is thereby losing any historic character it retains."
"Our fear is that with local authority cutbacks, more and more historic buildings will be lost because the resources are just not there to save them."
