MP welcomes ‘Robust approach’ to affordable housing
This week, the South West Regional Assembly’s draft “Spatial Strategy” begins its examination in public. The local MP, Dan Rogerson, who submitted his own evidence some months ago today welcomed North Cornwall District Council’s submission to the consultation as a “robust approach to housing need in North Cornwall” but said the District, too, could do more to make housing in the area affordable.
The South West Region has set a preliminary target for 380 homes to be developed in North Cornwall each year, but Mr Rogerson and District Council have said this falls short of what has been achieved in previous years. The target is only half the number that the latest housing needs study identified as necessary to meet local demand.
The local Liberal Democrat MP says that the District Council could help maintain affordability of the houses which are built by keeping a stake in new homes, which would ensure that the properties are sold back to the District Council at below market rate when householders move on.
Commenting, Mr Rogerson said:
“The District Council has produced an excellent document which outlines very clearly the acute housing need in North Cornwall – and the imperative for an ambitious strategy to tackle it.
“The Region’s draft spatial strategy shows a poverty of that vital ambition and again lacks recognition of North Cornwall’s particular needs. Weekly pay here is lower than the averages for England, for Cornwall, and for neighbouring North Devon and Torridge.
“Across England, Kensington and Chelsea is the only place where property prices are higher in relation to incomes than they are in North Cornwall. Of course though, in David Cameron’s Notting Hill set there are vast reservoirs of inherited wealth to make up for the disparity. Here in North Cornwall, people have to live within their means.
“The District Council has made a good start but we must do better still. Liberal Democrat Councils have shown the way ahead on providing homes for the people in their communities. I want to see North Cornwall District able to do the same.”
