Work is expected to start next year on a major housing development in Looe after Cornwall Council gave it the go ahead. Planning permission has been granted for 100 new homes, including affordable housing, to be built on land to the rear of the Sunrising Estate, East Looe. Permission was also given for new vehicular and pedestrian access, internal access roads, garaging and parking, a pedestrian and cycleway link, public open space and associated landscaping, drainage and engineering works. 

Cornwall councillor for East Looe and St Martins Armand Toms said: 'We were able to secure a few more social houses. The first phase of 100 houses will be 40 per cent affordable and of those 40 per cent, 21 houses will be rented out for social housing for local people. Six will be shared ownership and 13 will be for sale – they are doing all that without public subsidy, so I think it is good news for the town. In the second phase, allotments and a play park have already been agreed and I am going to challenge the Primary Care Trust and say there is a need for an extra health facility in the town.'

Planning manager for Barratt Homes Gareth Kendall said: 'Following the extensive consultation and hard work undertaken by the project team over many months, we are delighted with the decision reached.'

A full planning application was submitted to Cornwall Council in June along with an outline application for phase two of the project for residential development, employment development and the formation of new access, which was also approved. A detailed application for phase two will now be submitted where it will be considered again by planners.