The developer behind Bodmin’s new Kemeneth site has announced its new partnership with the town’s rugby club.

Persimmon Homes presented the first of three £2,000 cheques to Bodmin RFC at its Clifden Park ground in September as part of its Community Champions programme, which sees £700,000 donated to good causes and much-valued organisations across Britain each year. The next two instalments will follow next year and in 2028.

The club, first formed in the 1880s, but had to reform in 1969 but still making it Cornwall’s first Rugby club , has a senior team and several junior sides, with 100 players across them. The current clubhouse, with its bar and function room, was erected in 1989 on the outskirts of the town.

Over the years many players from the club have represented the county at various levels. The most honoured of these to emerge and progress from the club has been Andy Reed who played and captained Scotland and went on to play for the British Lions.

The accredited five-star housebuilder has started construction of its Kemeneth site in the town, not far from the rugby club. Once complete, 527 new homes will have been delivered, including 132 Affordable Homers, all of which will have air source heat pumps and electric vehicle charging points.

The development unlocks more than £3.5m in contributions from Persimmon for new community facilities, education, and transport improvements across the town. Residents will also benefit from new parks, allotments, play areas, a community orchard and a community centre, alongside more than two hectares of landscaped open space that will encourage outdoor activity and support wellbeing.

The scheme also delivers new green spaces, community facilities and major ecological improvements. It will provide an 86.5% biodiversity net gain, supported by enhanced hedgerows, nature habitats and targeted measures including bird, bat and dormouse boxes to protect local wildlife.

Other recent recipients of Persimmon’s Community Champions funding include Bodmin Youth FC, 3^rd Bodmin Scouts, Bodmin Town Band, and Home-Start Kernow.

Commenting, Persimmon Homes Cornwall & West Devon Sales Director Jane Cartwright, said:

“Persimmon is very happy to have finally started construction at our Kemeneth site in Bodmin, with our showhome and sales office now open to the public, and we want to continue supporting local organisations here as we have done for many years.

“That’s why we are excited to announce a multi-year partnership with Bodmin RFC through our Community Champions programme, presenting the first of three £2,000 cheques to its leadership team.

“Hopefully, Kemeneth will be home to generations of new and existing players, coaches, and fans for the club, demonstrating how building new homes can help sustain our much-loved institutions like Bodmin RFC.”

Dave Saunter of Bodmin RFC, added:

“We are so pleased that Persimmon's have chosen us for this Community Champions programme. Our aim at the club has always been to make rugby affordable to all in the community and money like this and our other sponsors really helps to keep costs down.”