Black Mountain Quarries meets HRH Prince Charles

When the Duchy of Cornwall decided that its Tregunnel Hill project should set a benchmark for sustainable development, it made a commitment to use locally sourced materials and skills where possible. Black Mountain Quarries was commissioned to supply and cut granite from our De Lank quarry in Bodmin, to make kerbs, steps, window sills and back edging for the new Cornish town.

Adrian Phillips, Director of Black Mountain Quarries, was delighted to meet HRH The Prince of Wales, Duke of Cornwall, when he visited the Tregunnel Hill project on the 16th July 2014. We were asked to stage a demonstration with one of our stone masons, Nigel Hoskins, showing how to make radius curbs. The Prince spent some time talking with us about De Lank, which has supplied granite for some of Britain’s most famous historic and contemporary buildings.

Adrian said: “We’re very happy to be involved in the Tregunnel Hill project. As well as creating a great place to live and work, it’s good for the County because it’s creating work for local people, sustaining traditional craftsmanship, and championing local materials. It’s great to work with people who appreciate the quality of Cornish granite and are prepared to invest in it.

“We have worked hard to keep costs down, but local granite costs more initially when compared to imported stone. This is because Cornish granite is ten times harder and it takes great skill and hi-tech equipment to cut it. But the long term benefits are far greater – Cornish granite won’t degrade, and will preserve the architectural heritage of the area for future generations. We’re delighted that the Tregunnel Hill project has invested in quality which will last.”

Tregunnel Hill, at Newquay in Cornwall, is being built on Duchy of Cornwall land using the principles of architecture and urban planning set out by The Prince of Wales in his ‘Vision of Britain’. The project is already fulfilling its aims to be environmentally sustainable, low carbon, socially inclusive and highly beneficial to the local economy.

Working on the contract has enabled Black Mountain Quarries to retain 15 staff in Cornwall and has created two additional jobs. We hope to create more jobs when De Lank goes on to work on the second Duchy scheme at Nansledan, also in Newquay.

Black Mountain Quarries produces a wide range of products. Read more about the history and current operations of De Lank, and the famous landmarks it has been used to create.