MP welcomes NCDC housing move
Local MP, Dan Rogerson, has welcomed moves by North Cornwall District Council to increase the amount of affordable housing in new developments.
The Council is proposing to decrease the threshold at which developers must include affordable housing in their plans to five homes in Bodmin, Bude, Camelford, Launceston and Wadebridge, and to two homes everywhere else in North Cornwall. Under the present rules, permission can be granted for new homes without an affordable element as long as there are no more than fifteen units in the plan.
The District is now consulting on the proposals, which would see greater priority given to local people when housing is allocated. Mr Rogerson has made affordable housing a priority and campaigns strongly for measures to help stop the spread of second homes. He is urging people to respond positively to the Council’s plans.
Commenting, he said:
“This is a big step in the right direction. Liberal Democrat councillors have been arguing for such measures, so it’s great news that the District is taking our ideas seriously.
“I will certainly be writing in support of the proposals and I would recommend others to do so too.
“I’m particularly pleased to see that Padstow will be added to the list of areas in which 50% of new developments have to be affordable. It may go some way to negating the blight that second-home ownership has on the area.”
