Sustainable purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) developer Verto has been granted planning permission for Halo Village – the world’s first zero-carbon PBSA community in Falmouth. Halo Village will provide PBSA and amenities for over 1,800 students, while contributing to the UK’s net-zero targets.
The Halo Village development will comprise 1,858 en-suite and studio bed spaces, including 97 wheelchair accessible units. Student facilities include a social hub, study hub, student services and a reception centre.
Amenities for both students and the local community include a new doctor’s surgery, leisure facilities, business units and sustainable transport infrastructure.
This crucial development will service the growing student population at the Tremough Campus in Penryn and will house students from both Exeter and Falmouth universities, freeing up desperately needed housing for working people and families by releasing hundreds of private houses that are currently being occupied by students.
“I am hugely proud that we have achieved consent for such a groundbreaking and revolutionary development. I hope that the Halo Village scheme acts as a catalyst to change the way major development projects are delivered in the UK, and proves that zero- carbon development is not only achievable but necessary to address the climate crisis.”
Andy West, Head of Land and Planning, Verto
Due to its high number of students, Falmouth has over five times more Houses of Multiple Occupation (HMOs) than any other town in Cornwall – and student numbers are set to climb as the university targets ambitious growth for 2030.
The Halo Village scheme will be constructed to the very highest environmental standards, while embodied and operational carbon will be net zero – or even beyond zero. This means Halo Village will be the first student accommodation of its kind to meet such a sustainable benchmark, anywhere in the world.
Verto has worked with Cornwall Council and consultant ecologists to ensure the conservation and enhancement of local biodiversity, creating a net gain in habitats of over 35%
We are proud to be delivering the world’s first zero-carbon student community to service both Exeter and Falmouth universities. Our team has the experience and expertise to develop Halo Village to be operationally zero carbon, while also tackling the embodied carbon that comes with the construction process, reducing carbon wherever we can and committing to offset anything left over.”
Richard Pearce, Co-Founder, Verto
This zero-carbon PBSA project will also boost the economic activity of Falmouth. Over £100m gross value added will benefit the local community through the build and operation of the scheme. There will be 1,550 construction jobs created over the build period, along with a further 350 permanent jobs created once the development is operational.
Since acquiring the site in 2019, Verto have worked with the local community, Cornwall’s Design Review Panel and Planning Officers, and local and county councillors to improve upon the outline consent granted for the land.
While local councillors initially had reservations which resulted in a refusal of planning permission last year, Verto and Cornwall Council have worked to bring the project to fruition and will initiate works on site in October 2024.
“The approval for this development is a significant step forward as we bring much needed accommodation for students, freeing up local properties and delivering new amenities for use by the whole community. The later-than-planned construction start, which has delayed the economic boost of new jobs, businesses and a doctor’s surgery, could have been avoided. We would urge local councillors to consider the needs of communities and the environment before preventing important developments such as Halo Village.”
Tom Carr, Co-Founder, Verto
