Spargo Quarry is a distinctive former granite quarry set in the heart of Cornwall, extending to about 18.5 acres. Its unique character and industrial heritage create exciting opportunities for a range of uses, from leisure and tourism to other commercial ventures.
Spargo Quarry is a distinctive former granite quarry set in the heart of Cornwall, extending to about 18.5 acres. Its unique character and industrial heritage create exciting opportunities for a range of uses, from leisure and tourism to other commercial ventures. The quarry has an active planning consent, but has not been worked for some time. Surrounded by countryside, yet close to Penryn and Falmouth, the site offers excellent accessibility and scope for imaginative redevelopment.
The Property: Spargo Quarry is a site of exceptional historical interest, originally part of a major granite works, it supplied stone for bridges, statues, and prominent buildings during the 19th century, later serving decorative purposes for memorials and ecclesiastical projects. Informal records also suggest the site played a role in World War II as a bombing decoy and military training base, adding a fascinating layer to its heritage.
Today, the quarry extends to approximately 18.5 acres and is largely overgrown, with dramatic rock faces, flooded workings, and areas of natural regeneration creating a striking and rugged landscape. The site is designated as ‘open access’ land. Its status as a County Wildlife Site and location within a Mineral Safeguarding Area underline its environmental and heritage value, making it an exceptional opportunity for buyers seeking a distinctive property with scope for heritage-led leisure, or conservation projects. The quarry is also currently benefiting from a historic mineral planning permission dating back to 1998, valid until 2042. Despite this, any recommencement of quarrying would require a detailed working and restoration scheme approved by the Mineral Planning Authority.
Location: Situated near Mabe, Spargo Quarry lies just a few miles from Penryn and Falmouth, providing easy access to Cornwall’s south coast and its vibrant maritime towns. Falmouth, renowned for its beaches, marina, and cultural attractions, is approximately 4 miles away, while Truro, the county’s commercial centre, lies around 10 miles to the northeast. The A30, Cornwall’s main arterial route, can be reached in about 20 minutes, offering excellent connectivity to the wider region and beyond.
Planning: The quarry benefits from a historic mineral planning permission dated 29 September 1998, which remains valid until 21 February 2042. The permission allows extraction of granite for ornamental or armour stone only. Before any recommencement of quarrying, a detailed scheme for working, landscaping, restoration, and aftercare must be submitted and approved by the Mineral Planning Authority. This scheme would need to include information on extraction areas, stockpiles, landscaping measures, and ecological considerations. The site is identified as an active (not working) building stone quarry in the Cornwall Minerals Plan Evidence Base (2018) and is located within a Mineral Safeguarding Area for building stone. Any alternative use or development would require planning permission and compliance with mineral safeguarding and biodiversity policies.
Viewings: Interested parties are able to walk over the land by virtue of its being classed as Open Access land, however we recommend viewers wear appropriate footwear and take care of uneven ground, heights and open water.
The next steps...
1
Establish funds
How will you fund the purchase?
Before making an offer on a property you will want to consider your financial situation, your income and outgoings.
Will you finance the purchase of your next property from the sale of an existing property which can put you in a chain, arrange a mortgage through your bank or buy the property outright.
To help you finance your next property purchase, we have a long established relationship with an independent mortgage broker who can discuss your situation with you.
They do all the legwork for you, working on your behalf with the lender
They compare wholesale mortgage rates from a large number of banks and lenders all at once
Their wholesale interest rates can be lower than retail (bank branch) interest rates
They offer more loan options because they work with numerous banks and lenders
They can finance tricky deals because of their knowledge and various lending partners
They are typically easier to get in contact with, and are less bureaucratic.
However advantages of working with your bank are:
You may be able to build off an existing relationship (and gain discounts if you have a checking or savings account)
You may already know the banker who will handle your mortgage
Banks may be more accountable than a smaller shop
They may offer lower interest rates in some cases
Their ability to add mortgage to existing banking profile and make automatic payments from linked account.
2
Making an offer
with Carter Jonas.
When you see a property you are interested in on our website, call us 24/7 to arrange a viewing. Or if you prefer, get in touch via our website and we will call you back to find a time to view the property that suits you.
Once you’ve found a property you want to buy, it’s time to make an offer. A bit of negotiation is to be expected, however don't offer so little that you end up in a lengthy negotiation process, as you might lose the property altogether if someone else makes a higher bid.
If other offers have been made on a property we aren't legally able to tell you what they are, but we may indicate if they were close to the asking price.
3
Need to sell a property
or thinking of letting?
If you have a property to sell, why not see how we can help you.
Or if you’re considering letting your property, we can take the stress out of managing your rental, and our award winning lettings team offer a service that can be tailored to your needs.
Combined with nearly 170 years of experience and one of the highest customer satisfaction scores in the industry, Carter Jonas is the perfect property partner.
