Cornwall Council’s cabinet has supported a plans to look into creating more social housing in Truro by buying land and developing homes at Threemilestone, with a final decision to be taken by members at a full council meeting in November.

Today’s meeting recognised the need for the council to take a proactive role in delivering local housing in the Truro area, and the cabinet agreed that work should progress over the possibility of acquiring land at Langarth Farm.

The Langarth Farm site already has planning permission to build 1,500 new homes, with a first stage of development of 700 homes planned. The land acquired by the council would provide 150 homes and the council would work closely with Sanctuary Housing who propose to acquire the remaining land in this first stage of development. It is also proposed the site will provide land for the development of extra care housing which is housing designed with the needs of frailer older people in mind and with varying levels of care and support available on site.

Cornwall Council cabinet member for homes, Andrew Mitchell, said: “At the time these planning applications were approved we did not have a Local Plan in place. Now we do, we are in a stronger position to resist unwanted development but we are where we are with this site, along with several others along the A390 corridor. The planning permission is in place so it is a question of when development will take place, not if.

"It is now for the council to take back some control and unpick some of the issues that are holding up the provision of quality new homes as well as unlocking improved infrastructure, including a northern access road.”

This will help support the council’s aim by increasing the overall supply of homes in Cornwall in line with the Cornwall Local Plan, and improving the quality and choice in the private rented sector. Cornwall Council has committed to helping deliver 1,000 new homes over the next four years through a number of housing developments across Cornwall in response to local housing demand and need.