Plans to build 40 new homes in a West Cornwall village have come up against objections from a number of local residents.
An outline planning application has been submitted to build 40 homes on land north west of Angarrack Lane in Connor Downs with half of the properties to be classed as affordable.
A planning statement submitted with the application explains that 60% of the affordable houses would be for affordable rent and the remainder shared ownership.
In the statement the applicant, Land Promotion Group, states that there is “significant local housing need” stating that the HomeChoice register shows 48 households and another 15 “hidden” households.
It adds: “The delivery of much needed affordable and market housing in this location is a significant benefit of considerable weight. The proposed development would also bring economic benefits associated with housebuilding and expenditure in the locality and additional community benefits including the delivery of open space.”
However the application has been met by a number of objections – there are 35 comments on the council website with 32 objecting.
Terence Winsor states: “Yet again the village of Connor Downs has been selected for yet another over development on a greenfield site.
“Connor Downs village has lost all its green fields to over development and I believe that the majority of residents are saying enough is enough.”
Many of the objections raise concerns about additional traffic on local roads and that the site is close to an area of fast moving traffic.
Debbie Mitchelmore said: “We have already had a large number of houses built in the village and ones that continue to be so as we write.
“This cannot be called a village anymore, the use and character of the place has been changed beyond recognition.”
However Roger White was in support of the plans and was critical of those objecting to the development.
He said: “I wish to support this application. I do not live in the area but have family and friends that do.
“I can only assume that all the objectors are people who are in the fortunate position of being wealthy enough to buy homes in the area on the open market for themselves and / or for their children etc or are people who just want to halt any form of development because they think they ought to, without actually ever weighing up the pros and cons of any application.
“My family and friends are not in the lucky position of being able to financially help their children get on the housing ladder so rely heavily on the hope of affordable homes being developed in the area, affordable homes such as this proposed development will provide.
“None of us particularly like to see the use of agricultural land for housing but needs must when there are no suitable brownfield development sites, and of course we must all remember that the whole of Connor Downs was green agricultural land before any homes were built.
“Please Cornwall do not let the ‘fortunate few’ who are objecting to this application, ruin the opportunity of the ‘unfortunate majority’ to own their own homes.”
This provoked a response from Dee Searle who objected to the plans, she said: “With regards to the earlier comment suggesting the people objecting are somewhat privileged to afford their homes and should be more understanding; I completely disagree.
“For starters, I do not live in this area but if I did, I would not want my house that I paid a lot of money for working all hours god sends me surrounded by more development and concrete. I would want to enjoy the area I live in and not look out my window onto other people.
“I am, however, fortunate to run this route most days taking in the beautiful greenery and wildlife. Why should this be destroyed for another development? There is a national housing crisis but instead of destroying another green field why not buy abandoned or unused buildings and refurbish and redevelop them?”
A decision on the plan is due to be taken by the end of September.
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