Cornwall Council buys land to build 150 homes

Cornwall Council has bought a plot of land in Launceston to build around 150 homes.

The land has been bought as part of the Council’s Housing Development Programme (HDP) which will see the local authority investing up to £200m in providing new homes on sites across Cornwall in coming years.

The site at Link Road in Launceston already has planning permission for up to 275 homes, a pub, restaurant and supermarket.

According to the council, it intends to build around 150 homes through its Housing Development Programme with the intention of starting on site next year.

Cornwall Council will deliver a mix of property sizes, types and tenures to meet local needs.

Some will be for private rent, providing quality, choice and greater security for those in the private rented sector with five-year tenancies as standard, while some will be sold at market prices and others will be for affordable rent or shared ownership.

The local authority is already building a total of 113 homes through its the Housing Development Programme on two pilot sites in Bodmin and Tolvaddon.

Both sites will have properties to rent or to buy. It has other sites it owns which are coming forward in Newquay, Redruth, Liskeard and Torpoint.

‘Cornwall needs more homes – both to rent and to buy – and the council is seizing the initiative to provide those homes,’ said cabinet portfolio holder for homes, Cllr Andrew Mitchell.

‘For example, in Launceston, there are 142 applicants on the Cornwall Homechoice register.  The proposed development in Launceston could eventually provide a large number of new homes which will go some way towards addressing that need.

‘This is about providing good quality healthy homes that local people want to live in, with space, gardens, parking and which are well designed with low energy costs,’ added Cllr Mitchell.

Launceston South Cllr Jade Farrington added: ‘I’m very pleased that Launceston has been chosen as one of the council’s sites. Planning permission has already been granted for these homes, so it’s excellent news that Cornwall Council is stepping in to ensure high build qualities that meet the needs of local people.’

Photo by Jarmoluk (Pixabay)