FAMILIES living near a purple “eyesore” abandoned student block are demanding it be demolished as it is falling apart and has become a haven for squatters, fly-tippers and arson.
Work halted on the half-built seven-storey building three years ago after the contractor behind it went bust.
The £40million building was meant to house 528 university students
An allegedly deliberate fire broke out at the site earlier this month
Resident James Clewett said suspected squatters climb the scaffolding to get to the open windows
The £40million building was meant to house 528 university students but locals in Penryn, , say squatters have forced their way in despite there being a security guard.
Falling debris from the building’s weatherproofing is also landing in their gardens and a fire allegedly started deliberately on the site last week almost spread to their .
And the site has been thus nicknamed the “Kernick Carbuncle”.
According to the latest stats, a total of 17 criminal damage and arson incidents, as well as 26 anti-social behaviour incidents, were reported in the area across July alone.
Physicist James Clewett, who lives near the block, told The Sun this week: “I hate it.
“I wasn’t excited about living near 500 students but this is much worse. People climb the scaffolding to get through the windows so I presume there’s a thriving community of squatters in there.
“It is immensely overbearing. A building that size doesn’t belong in Penryn.
“None of us expect it to ever be finished but none of us expect it to ever go away. We think it’ll be left until it falls down.”
Describing the fire on September 1, Mr Clewett said: “I was sat at my desk when I heard this crackling. I looked out and saw six metre flames at the end of my garden.
“I got a hose spraying the trees, all I was trying to do was protect my house. I have no doubt if the trees had gone up my house would have too.
“I never felt like I was in danger but I certainly felt like my house was. It was shocking.”
Neighbours called the fire brigade who put out the blaze and said it was likely caused by arson.
A suspicion that appeared to be confirmed when a bottle used to carry flammable liquid was dumped at the scene.
Mr Clewett added: “The fire brigade said to me it was arson, I told the but there has been zero feedback and they haven’t been to collect the canister.
“We have heard the kids trying to rip down fence panels two nights running.
“This saga has been running on for years. I feel like I’m an unpaid security guard for the building.”
‘That felt like a symbolic moment’
To the frustration of residents, a popular park and green space was fenced off when construction started to be used for goods storage
Mr Clewett was playing frisbee with his son in the park in 2020 when workmen arrived to erect fencing and told them to move.
A rusting goal just outside the fence is the only remaining sign of the park’s previous life.
“They kicked us off the field to put up the fencing – with hindsight that felt like quite a symbolic moment.
“My son has had five years now when he hasn’t had access to that field which is a travesty.
A bottle used to carry flammable liquid was found dumped at the scene after the blaze
The windows are boarded up and locals say debris regularly falls off
The abandoned site has become more and more rundown
“I am only interested in getting this field back. We have been trying hard to get it back for years but they have burned through a lot of good will with people.”
Another neighbour, Ken Matthews, 61, said: “It’s disgusting. Every morning we open our blinds and we have to look at that. It’s like a smack in the face.
“It has been abandoned for three years. We have heard about break-ins.
“The police don’t want to know. The fire was quite frightening, I’ve been having sleepless nights since then.
“I want the owners to knock it all down before something else bad happens.
“It’s a carbuncle and it’s got to go.”
Mr Matthews said even before the fire he has found broken chunks of insulation and cladding in his garden which have been ripped off the building by the wind.
Another neighbour, Lynn Storey, said: “It’s not great to look at, it’s a real eyesore.
“There is a lot of wildlife that has lost its habitat and this does absolutely nothing for the students in the town.
“It’s a huge fire hazard. It would be good to do something with it but I just think it needs knocking down.”
In a Facebook group which posts about abandoned buildings, one urban explorer said: “There’s a security man who I always see up there.
“I got caught when trying to go in, but the building’s just sat there there doing nothing.”
A sign warns trespassers to ‘Keep Out’
The building dominates of the backdrop in the local area
The building looms over local homes
The building is on an industrial estate next to Falmouth University but is not overseen by the university.
Instead it is privately owned by Studytel whose parent company is Isle of Man-based Sondica.
Sondica contracted Caledonian Modular Ltd to build the flats, but work stopped in March 2022 after the construction company went into administration.
Jayne Kirkham, Labour MP for Truro and Falmouth, said: “Monday night’s fire next to Penryn’s purple block is extremely worrying and nearby residents are rightly concerned.
“Thanks to the Fire Service for dealing with it so quickly – however this half-built block has become a safety hazard.
“Penryn Town Council and local residents have been tirelessly campaigning for action but very little has happened for three years.
“We need definitive action – to make the site safe, take it down or finish the build.
“I will be meeting with the building’s owner’s representative again and working with the to get the action local residents need and deserve.”
The Sun has contacted Studytel and & Cornwall Police for comment.
Do you know more? Email samuel.creed@news.co.uk
A rusting football goal just outside the fence is the only remaining sign of the park’s previous life
Locals say squatters climb up the scaffolding to get inside the building 
