A 'Homes for Cornwall' has been launched by Cornwall Council, with plans to build new "affordable" homes across the county over the next five years.

The project brings together the Council and housebuilding and construction group Galliford Try, which has a regional base in Saltash, to build new homes on 11 sites currently owned by the Council.

Galliford Try will now work with delivery partner DCH (formerly Devon and Cornwall Housing) to consult with local communities over the coming months on the proposals for the sites.

Local people’s views from this consultation will shape and inform the planning applications for the sites.

The 11 sites were identified as possible sites for potential housing development as part of the Council’s Housing Investment Plan.

The Housing Investment Plan sets an ambitious target of supporting the delivery of 1,000 affordable homes annually over the next four years. A key element of the Housing Investment Plan is to utilise Council owned land assets to deliver new affordable homes.

Geoff Brown, Cornwall Council cabinet member for homes and communities said: “With more than 28,000 applicants currently registered on Cornwall Homechoice, the delivery of housing and, in particular, the delivery of affordable housing; bringing empty properties back into use and meeting local housing needs are key priorities of the community and of the Council.

"The Council will reinvest any funds generated from the land for the provision of further affordable homes. We are not in a position to go it alone and this approach of developing a new strategic relationship with a private sector delivery partner, who has the necessary skills and resources, will provide greater certainty and the prospect of early delivery of high quality homes, including affordable housing.

"Initiatives such as this will also give a boost to local construction businesses so we will not only be encouraging the building of high quality homes, we will also be supporting jobs and businesses in Cornwall.”