This is the first chance to see where a proposed 900 homes could be built in Helston over the next 20 years.

The Packet can reveal that three sites are being considered for development: the Bulwark area, Bosnoweth near the link road and the Trenethick area to the north east of the town.

These are the areas that independent planners feel would be best suited to development and where the most benefits would lie.

As yet no land has yet been identified in any of these areas and this will be the next stage, depending on feedback given during a public consultation beginning next Monday.

This looks at all elements of the Town Framework – which sets out a plan for the future of the town – and members of the public are being urged to give their opinions on the proposals up until Friday, April 19.

A public exhibition is being hosted by Cornwall Council next Wednesday, March 13 at Helston One Stop Shop in Isaac House, Tyacke Road. Between noon and 7.30pm residents can look at the proposals, have specific details explained and give their feedback.

Matthew Brown, planning delivery group leader, stressed that not all three of the sites would be needed in order for 900 extra homes to be built.

He said: “We don’t need all of them. They’re the options we’re asking people to consider. It’s been done completely independently at this stage. They’re just lines on the map."

Mr Brown added that the council felt it was possible for up to 450 to be built within the existing “urban area.” The preferred option would be to extend an already developed area to provide the majority of the homes, with perhaps a second site to cover the remainder, but it “certainly wouldn’t need all three.”

Another site that is earmarked as key for development is the existing Helston Business Park, which has remained empty since its creation. This is highlighted as a “paid employment site” – in other words, somewhere that should be developed with businesses, to create jobs in the town.

“We’re just reiterating that Cornwall Council is seeing that as a high priority area to be developed,” said Mr Brown, who admitted the site had “not moved forward” in recent years.

The Town Framework will be available on Cornwall Council’s website from Monday at www.cornwall.gov.uk/helstontf; copies will also be available to view at Helston Library and One Stop Shop. 

This consultation runs in parallel with the Cornwall Local Plan consultation, which will also run from Monday. This looks at the future growth and development within the whole of Cornwall over the next 20.

Full details of this will also be available on the council’s website and at local libraries and one stop shops across Cornwall.