FIVE new affordable homes are being built in South East Cornwall in a bid to help local families struggling to find somewhere to live in their own local communities.

The homes in Widegates, near Looe, will be available for social rent, with priority given to people with a connection to Morval parish before being offered to neighbouring areas.

There are currently 25 households on Cornwall Council’s Homechoice Housing Register with a local connection to Morval, underlining the demand for affordable housing in the area.

Cornwall Council cabinet member for housing Councillor Peter La Broy said more homes were urgently needed to allow people to remain in the communities where they had grown up, worked or had family connections.

“Many residents are struggling to find a home in the communities where they grew up, work or have family connections and it's clear that more affordable homes are needed,” he said.

“Developments like this make an important contribution to tackling the housing crisis - providing safe, secure and affordable accommodation as well as helping residents to remain part of their communities.”

Plymouth Community Homes (PCH) is delivering the five three-bedroom properties, which are being built by local developer Ease Homes SW Ltd. The energy-efficient homes are being funded through the Government’s Social and Affordable Homes Programme 2026-2036.

PCH is one of just 33 housing associations nationally selected by Homes England as a Strategic Partner under the £39 billion programme and has been given a target of delivering 1,500 affordable homes over the next decade.

Shahi Islam, director of Affordable Housing Grants at Homes England, said the Widegates development marked a “significant milestone” as the first PCH scheme to receive funding through the new programme.

“These five new energy-efficient homes for social rent will make a real difference for local people, particularly those with strong ties to Morval parish and the surrounding areas, who are struggling to find affordable housing in their own communities,” he said.

The new development will provide three-bedroom properties in an area where rising housing costs and limited availability can make it difficult for local people to secure long-term accommodation close to family, employment and community connections.

The Widegates scheme is PCH’s first development in the village and strengthens its presence across South East Cornwall, where it already has homes in Liskeard, Saltash and Callington.

The properties will feature air source heat pumps, electric vehicle charging points, private parking and landscaping.

PCH project manager Jo Agnew said the organisation was “delighted” to be delivering the homes and hoped the development would help support a new community, while construction director Dafydd Hollyman said the homes were programmed for completion in early 2027, with the first properties expected to be available for social rent in spring 2027.

PCH is also delivering 16 homes in Darite, near Liskeard, and 48 homes in St Austell as it expands its affordable housing programme across Cornwall.

Homes available for social rent in Cornwall are advertised through Cornwall Homechoice.