Local sourcing of materials is hugely important to the Duchy of Cornwall. It impacts positively on the local economy, reflects local identity and meets sustainability objectives. It also keeps traditional construction methods alive and creates durable, energy-efficient buildings.
The Duchy’s Building Code governs which materials can be used at Nansledan and sets out the sequence of choice to make sure that where possible materials come first from Cornwall and if not then the South West, UK or Europe – in that order.
Nansledan makes use of a range of natural materials, locally sourced where possible. Roofing slate comes from Trevillett Slate near Tintagel on the North Cornwall coast, and from Penrhyn Quarry in Wales and Burlington Stone in Cumbria. Granite for kerb stones and cobbles is from De Lank Quarry on Bodmin Moor, rustic stone for housing and Cornish hedges is from Callywith Quarry at Bodmin, and cut slate for street signage and sills comes from Delabole Slate Quarry, also in North Cornwall. All windows are wooden or metal, not uPVC.
You can view a short film about Trevillett Quarry here. This was filmed in 2011.