Trelawney House and Piran Place, the two high-rise apartment blocks adjoining White River Place in St Austell, are undergoing major building safety improvement works.
Project Overview
The £12.8 million project will remove and replace existing external cladding and façade materials to ensure both buildings meet current fire safety and Building Safety Act 2022 requirements.
The works will include removing cladding, render, sections of brickwork, other façade materials and wooden balconies, followed by the installation of compliant fire safety systems and new external finishes. Scaffolding will be erected around both buildings to enable the works to be completed safely.
The project is expected to take approximately 95 weeks and will be monitored by the Building Safety Regulator (BSR).
Traffic Management and Access
Pedestrian routes around the works have now been clearly signposted to improve visibility and help residents and visitors navigate the area safely. White River Place, St Austell Cinema, Burton House shops and businesses, the associated service yards and the multi-storey car park remain fully accessible and operational. The commercial areas have continued to be busy throughout the school holidays, demonstrating that they remain accessible to the public.
Additional mirrors have also been installed on lamp posts opposite the car park exit and near the pedestrian crossing to improve visibility. This follows the installation of new banners along the temporary fencing and will help maintain clear sight-lines for pedestrians and motorists.
Following a short delay due to a legal agreement for the scaffolding, this has now been fully resolved and scaffold erection is progressing well.
Additional security measures have also been introduced, including scaffolding alarms, to help maintain the safety and security of residents, businesses and the public throughout the works.
Resident & Business Liaison
Located in White River Place (the former O2 shop), the Classic Builders office is open with a Resident Liaison Officer available on Mondays, Tuesdays and Fridays 9am-4pm, to answer any questions or concerns. Alternatively, you can contact us via email, which is monitored daily.
We have provided a set of frequently asked questions to help answer any initial queries residents, businesses or members of the public may have.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s going to be happening?
Major building safety works are taking place at Trelawney House and Piran Place, the apartment blocks adjoining White River Place shopping centre. The project involves removing and replacing the existing external cladding and façade materials on both buildings.
The works include the removal of cladding, render, sections of brickwork and wooden balconies, installation of new compliant fire safety systems, and the erection of scaffolding. Temporary traffic management and changes to some pedestrian routes will also be required.
The project forms part of the national building safety programme for residential higher-risk buildings (HRBs).
Why are these works happening?
The works are being carried out to ensure the buildings meet current fire safety and building regulations introduced following the Grenfell Tower fire in 2017.
The existing cladding is no longer considered suitable under modern fire safety standards and is being replaced as a precautionary measure under the Building Safety Act 2022, with oversight from the Building Safety Regulator (BSR).
The works will improve long-term safety for residents, businesses and visitors to St Austell.
What planning and preparation has been undertaken?
Volunteer-run residents’ management company, THPP Management Company Limited, together with its managing agents, consultants and contractors, has spent over five years planning the works, with a focus on resident and public safety, traffic management and minimising disruption.
Key considerations have included:
- Resident Safety – the safety of the 55 residents’ apartments has remained the priority since issues were identified in 2021.
- Traffic Management – a one-way system was developed to maintain traffic flow while keeping White River Place, the car park and Burton House shops and service yard accessible.
- Project Duration – the programme has been carefully planned to maximise progress while maintaining safe working conditions.
- Scaffolding – specialist free-standing scaffolding is required to safely access the south-facing façades without being attached to the occupied buildings.
What’s the impact for St Austell Town Centre?
St Austell and its businesses, including those within White River Place and Burton House, will remain open and accessible throughout the works. The White River Place multi-storey car park will also remain operational.
Some disruption is expected around Trinity Street and White River Place, including temporary changes to traffic and pedestrian routes and possible congestion during busy periods.
The works represent an important long-term investment in the safety of residents and the future of the town centre.
What are the timescales associated with the works?
The whole project is expected to run for approximately 95 weeks.
Current planned dates are:
- Traffic management implementation: 22 June 2026
- Scaffold erection commencing: Early July 2026
- Target completion date: May 2028
The works will be completed in phases, with Piran Place beginning first, followed by Trelawney House approximately 12 weeks later.
Will there be security in place?
Security measures include site operatives, scaffolding alarms and linked surveillance systems, alongside existing police and town centre monitoring systems.
Entry gates will be added to the residents’ walkways as an additional security measure. These will be installed imminently to provide security and restrict access to the walkways to residents and authorised tradespeople.
You will need to supply this code to all couriers etc. when ordering
These gates will be secured by a code-lock. Residents have been given this code in their printed copy of this update. This code may also be shared with delivery drivers and couriers.
The existing entry card for residents will still be required to enter the building lobbies, and the intercom system will continue to operate as normal.
Who is undertaking the works?
The re-cladding and façade replacement works are being undertaken by Classic Builders on behalf of THPP Management Company and Bailey Partnership, in association with Plymouth Block Management.
The project will be monitored throughout by the Building Safety Regulator (BSR) to ensure all replacement materials and installation works meet current building regulations and fire safety requirements.
Who is paying for the works?
The works are being funded through the Government’s Cladding Safety Scheme, managed by Homes England, which supports the remediation of historic building safety defects, including dangerous cladding.
How do I get in contact if I have a query?
For all media enquiries:
Please contact volunteer director Greg Matthews of THPP Management Company Limited (the residents’ management company) via the contact page on this website or directly via email:
admin [at] thppmanagement.co.uk
For local residents and business owners:
Residents, businesses and members of the public are encouraged to get in touch with the project team if they have any questions or concerns relating to the works.
Classic Builders have a dedicated Resident & Business Liaison Officer (RLBO) who is based at the former O2 shop (Unit D3b, White River Place, Saint Austell PL25 5AZ).
They will be contactable either in person, Mondays, Tuesdays and Fridays between 9am-4pm, or by using the dedicated project contact email address:
whiteriverproject [at] classic-builders.co.uk
About inaccurate or misleading information
To date, neither the residents’ management company or our managing agents have received a direct enquiry, or request for comment, from any local or national news media organisation.
THPP Management Company Limited is not responsible for inaccurate or misleading information being shared in print or online (including via social media) by any individuals (including political representatives) or organisations (including click-bait websites) who have made no attempt to engage with us.
This website is the only online resource for up-to-date and accurate information about the cladding replacement project.
Please don’t rely on social media for news – we have no presence there.