CALLINGTON could be having a major housing development with 200 new homes, according to a 'pre-application' plan lodged with Cornwall Council .

If successful after full planning, the proposed new homes would take up exactly 50 per cent of the total 400 houses proposed in the area's emerging Core Strategy over the next 20 years. This takes in Callington's Community Network area which includes the parishes of Calstock, St Dominick, St Mellion, Linkinhorne, South Hill and St Ive.

Exeter-based planning consultants Bell Cornwell, who have not been available for comment, are considering a site for the development to the west of South Hill Road, almost opposite the fire station in Kelly Bray, which also includes the old South West Water site.

Urgent

Callington's Cornwall cllr Andrew Long, has described the plan as 'quite a shock', and is calling for a public meeting. 

'I have written to Bell Cornwell suggesting that as soon as the pre-application phase is completed, they hold an urgent public meeting so they can inform people of their proposals, including what benefit in infrastructure the community would expect if an application was successful,' he said.

Cllr Long, who is chairman of Callington Town Council's planning committee, and is a member of Cornwall Council's Planning East, said he was unable to make any further comment, other than to raise a  concern over the impact a plan of this size could have on the already full-to-capacity Community College.

'Major capital works to increase the size of the college would be required,' he said.

The application comes on the back of a number of schemes in the area, including the recently consented Churchills development in Church Street.

There are also a number of other proposals at an early stage.