Scheme for 48 affordable homes in Cornish village approved against backdrop of local opposition

A SCHEME to provide 48 affordable homes in a Clay Country village has been given the go-ahead against a backdrop of much local opposition. 

St Austell-based development and construction firm Gilbert and Goode has gained planning permission from Cornwall Council for the homes in St Stephen. 

The homes for social rent and shared ownership will be built on around 1.8 hectares of land near Carkeeks Close and Lois Lane on the south east side of the village. 

The development, bounded to the north and east by farmland, will consist of a range of properties with between one and four bedrooms. 

The application for the 100 per cent affordable homes development was unanimously approved by Cornwall planners subject to a robust traffic management plan being submitted. 

Chartered town planners Bell Cornwell, who submitted the planning application on behalf of Gilbert and Goode, had highlighted the need for affordable housing in the parish of St Stephen in Brannel, stating 360 households were seeking such accommodation. 

Bell Cornwell said St Stephen was an excellent location for the proposed much-needed housing and that the development would not compromise the character or setting of the village. 

Many local people disagreed, with objectors saying the scale of the proposed development was excessive, being disproportionate to the size of St Stephen. 

Those voicing opposition also raised concerns about highway safety, the loss of green space and habitat, and the potential strain on local services and facilities. 

St Stephen In Brannel Parish Council was against the scheme and Cllr Nigel Spragg attended the Cornwall Council planning meeting on behalf of the parish council to air objections. 

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After the meeting, the parish council posted on social media, saying: “The parish council supports social and affordable housing in principle, but members raised concerns about highway safety and access, infrastructure capacity and residential amenity.”