More homes for local people in Dobwalls, Newquay and Launceston moved a step forward.

Cornwall Council cabinet members agreed to buy two strategic sites in the two towns which could deliver 675 new homes.

The sites will be purchased under the council’s Housing Development Programme (HDP). 

Agreed earlier this year, the HDP will see the council investing up to £200 million in directly building and providing 1,000 new homes on sites across Cornwall. The developments will be a mix of homes for private market rental, affordable rent, shared ownership and private market.

The first 113 homes to buy or rent, built on pilot sites in Tolvaddon and Bodmin, are set to be ready later this year. 

A new company, wholly owned by the council, will be set up to buy, let and manage the properties built as part of the HDP. The income generated from the private sales and rentals will subsidise the affordable homes so there is no cost to the council over the life of the business plan.

The sites in Newquay and Launceston will be added to other housing development sites in Liskeard and Torpoint which the council already owns.

Cabinet also agreed that the council should buy seven affordable homes which have already been built in Dobwalls, to be let to local households on social rents.