St Petrocs was honoured to be a part of a visit from His Royal Highness The Duke of Cornwall to Nansledan today, Thursday 21st May 2026, where he visited the pioneering new housing development supporting people experiencing homelessness in Cornwall.

The visit took place at Nansledan, the Duchy of Cornwall’s flagship sustainable community on the outskirts of Newquay and highlighted the progress being made in delivering high-quality and environmentally responsible homes alongside tailored support services.

During the visit, The Prince met residents, community leaders and organisations involved in bringing the project to life. This included individuals who have experienced homelessness and have been supported through St Petrocs’ services, as well as partners working collaboratively to address housing need across Cornwall.

The development forms part of a wider initiative to tackle homelessness at Nansledan in partnership with St Petrocs through long-term, community-led solutions. By combining safe, secure accommodation with personalised support, the project will help people to rebuild their lives and sustain independent living. The first phase is providing high quality accommodation with wrap-around support for up to 16 individuals in two four-bedroom homes and eight one-bedroom apartments that are expected to be completed this summer. There is also an on-site counselling space for St Petrocs to provide support services to residents.

Delivered in partnership with St Petrocs and funded by The Duke of Cornwall’s Charitable Foundation, the scheme provides high-quality, low carbon homes with wraparound support, helping individuals build community connections and move towards long-term, secure housing. The supported housing development is being delivered in connection with the Royal Foundation’s wider Homewards programme, a five-year initiative led by The Duke of Cornwall to demonstrate that homelessness can be ended through place-based partnerships.

Representatives from St Petrocs, including senior leaders, trustees and people with lived experience of homelessness, took part in the visit and shared firsthand insights into the impact of the charity’s work.

Amanda Masters, Vice President of St Petrocs, was also present for the visit, offering a poignant reminder of the legacy of her late husband, Steve Ellis, former Chief Executive, whose vision and leadership helped shape the charity’s work for many years.

“It was a privilege to welcome His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales to the St Petrocs development at Nansledan and to showcase the progress being made here. This development represents a significant step forward in providing safe homes and meaningful support for people experiencing homelessness in Cornwall.

Partnership working is at the heart of this project and today was an important opportunity to highlight what can be achieved when organisations come together to create lasting change.”

-Henry Meacock,
Chief Executive of St Petrocs

 "This is a pioneering initiative in several respects. It marks a first for the Duchy in directly addressing homelessness and supporting local people on a path toward secure, long-term housing. At the same time, it deepens our understanding of low-carbon building techniques as part of our commitment to reaching net zero. We hope the insights gained here will prove valuable and inspire similar efforts across the UK."

-Peter James,
Duchy of Cornwall Project Manager

The Prince of Wales took time to hear directly from former St Petrocs residents about their journeys and the difference that access to stable accommodation and ongoing support has made to their lives.

The homes visited today are nearing completion and will soon welcome new residents, offering a stable foundation for individuals who have experienced homelessness and supporting them to move forward with confidence and dignity.

Read the full press release here>>