Council objection baffles developer
A HELSTON developer said he was baffled by the town council's decision to object to plans for 17 more affordable homes in the town.
David Martin, who has previously built 30 homes for first-time buyers locally, wants to build the properties and 15 open market homes on land off Pasmore Road, Helston.
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David Martin on land adjoining Hellis Wartha in Helston. 07/02/2012. David Martin on land adjoining Hellis Wartha where he would like to build new homes. Picture by Keith Richards. TRKR20120207A-003_C
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David Martin on land adjoining Hellis Wartha where he would like to build new homes.
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David Martin on land adjoining Hellis Wartha in Helston. 07/02/2012. David Martin on land adjoining Hellis Wartha where he would like to build new homes. Picture by Keith Richards. TRKR20120207A-001_C
There has been some opposition to the proposal from existing residents of the area.
But it was the council's objections Mr Martin found difficult to accept.
"They want more affordable homes, and there is certainly a demand for them.
"I have had several inquiries from couples who missed out when the previous local needs homes were allocated."
He also said this was not the first time the council had opposed his development proposals.
Councillors decided by three votes to two to object to the plans when they were discussed at the town council's planning committee last Thursday, although committee chairman, Jonathan Radford-Gaby, was in favour.
Mr Martin said: "The council are making fools of themselves."
He said he had carried out full consultation with planning and other officers at County Hall, although he appreciated the development would have to be approved by planners subject to the views of the town council and other consultees.
The town council is recommending refusal, claiming the land scheduled for development was not included in the current local plan, was currently designated as agricultural land and there was no application for change of use.
Members also felt there was a need to protect the amenities of neighbouring residents.
But Mr Martin said all these points had been covered in his application following consultations at officer level at County Hall.
John Boase, Mayor of Helston, who seconded Councillor Niall Devenish's proposal that the council object, defended the decision after the meeting.
He told the West Briton the council was not against affordable housing.
It was a question of whether the council wanted it in the location proposed.
Mr Martin said the 17 proposed local needs homes would be a mix of two and three bedrooms, with one four-bedroom property.
The asking price would be set by Cornwall Council's housing needs officer.
5 Comments
by 2ladybugs
Saturday, February 11 2012, 3:19PM
“That is the trouble JosDave, this country is never going to get back on its feet with all the NIMBYs
around. We need housing and we need jobs.”
by josdave
Saturday, February 11 2012, 2:26PM
“There has been some opposition to the proposal from existing residents of the area
As has been said NIMBYs rule OK?”
by tonywhite1943
Saturday, February 11 2012, 10:21AM
“I don't know the site but the comment above about 'impossible agricultural access' seems valid. And if it can't practically be used for farming purposes its beneficial use as a development site appears sensible. Sadly the problem seems to be that whenever an application is made which includes the phrase "affordable housing" there is a reaction from the neighbouring properties. In this matter NIMBY's seem to rule.
Maybe its to do with the way "affordability" is defined and the apparent custom of prioritising the use to the highest point scoring applicants. The result could be a perception that these developments end up as social housing for the needy, and might negatively change the nature of the local community. So they wrap up prejudice against single parent [etc] families in phrases about "loss of amenity" to try to take the moral high ground whilst,in truth, they're protecting their own self interest.
Maybe if the local residents could have some input into the allocation of the affordable element so that it was directed towards buyers/tenants with a genuine 'local to that part of the town' connection, they'd be more supportive. But one things for sure. Either some means of making the development of affordable homes everywhere acceptable has to be found or every application will continue to be rejected and our young people will continue to be driven away. And if that continues we'll end up in a sterlie decaying County of declining communities of increasingly senile geriatrics as a population. And that's not a picture I want to pass onto my grandchildren.
I don't know this Mayor from Adam, but if part of his role is to help and support the interests of the whole town this decision seems to have failed them miserably.”
by WORSTNITEMARE
Friday, February 10 2012, 10:26PM
“Here we go again, this dysfunctional Mayor yet again making once again a ridiculous and totally contradictory statement.
"He told the WB the council was not against affordable houseing"
"He voted against the affordable housing"
Its just used at prtesent as a dump for spare earth from the adjacent development, and can never be used for agriculture because you cant get to it other than through a housing estate.
Perhaps david Martin is not a mason, thats why Mayor voted against it.
Join the masons Mr Martin, then you will become "an influential people", and thus you can support this Mayor, and he ho, he will suddently have a change of mind and support it.
And this council is not corrupt.
tell that to the 17 couples who have been denied a local needs home.
Mr Martin, the council are indeed making fools of themselves, and hve been for the last 18 months.
I do hope Cornwall Council planning take absolutely no notice of this band of idiots, and grant the application to help the youngsters.”
by Charlespk
Friday, February 10 2012, 7:16PM
“You are just another of those 'filthy, right-wing, capitalist, conspirators David. . You should know by now that they only like us if we subscribe to the aims and objectives of Common Purpose and pay to train their graduates for them.
And your Green Wellies obviously aren't helping.
http://tinyurl.com/46uybh”