Inspector Approves Homes Plan on Greenbelt, Locals Call It A Sad Day

A plan for 50 new houses near St Austell caused upset. Officials had blocked it, but a government inspector then allowed it. People called it “a sad day for democracy.”

The council voted against the houses last June due to worries about losing farmland and the potential to ruin the area’s look. It was also a green space border.

Locals strongly disliked the housing plan. The town needed 940 homes then, but the town council opposed the project. Around 70 locals also shared their worries.

Alison Fish, a planning inspector, visited the site in November. She has now allowed the 50 homes, admitting it is Grade 3a farmland.

One person said planning follows rules shaped by local and national plans. Inspectors check only for planning reasons, and approvals come if no reason exists to deny.

Another person stated farmers lose faith and feel the county is getting ruined. Decisions by local councils concern them.

Someone else believes Cornwall needs homes. They requested 100,000 social houses because the population keeps going up.

One person wrote that losing farmland is bad, fearing hunger in the future. They feel empty homes should be used first, and farmland should be the last choice.

Another person believes the government wants to build everywhere, thinking the goal is homes for all.

Another person thinks it’s undemocratic, as the council voted no, but the project won anyway. They noted that Cornwall’s services are already strained.