Generations clash over Mylor homes
5:40pm Monday 11th February 2013 in Falmouth/Penryn
By Greg Fountain, Reporter/Photographer
UPDATE Monday, February 11 - Since this story was written, the development plan for land off of Bells Hill at Mylor has been given approval by Cornwall Council's Central Sub-Area Planning Committee.
---
Battle lines were drawn as the generations clashed at a Mylor housing meeting recently.
Called to argue the pros and cons of a controversial new 30 home development on the outskirts of the village, it saw emotions run high in a room divided.
On one side were the development's opponents, who counted boatyard owners, biologists and landscape architects amongst their number.
Those in favour, on the other hand, were mostly younger parents - and they had the backing of the majority of the parish council.
The atmosphere in the Tremayne Hall was tense. Cornwall councillor Steve Eva, who chaired the meeting, had to intervene several times to put a stop to spontaneous rounds of applause or unwelcome interjections.
As the application for 20 affordable and ten open market homes focuses on an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, which is on land outside the village’s building line accessed only from the notorious Bells Hill, it was always going to be controversial.
But as parish council chairman John Symons pointed out at the meeting on Wednesday, January 23, with “100 or so people on the waiting list” for social housing some would prefer that the homes were built whatever the cost.
Hilary Parkinson, for instance, was born in Mylor and her family “have lived in the village for three of four generations.”
“If we don’t act now we are going to miss the window to build housing,” she said.
Chris Martin echoed her sentiments. “Now is the chance to supply houses for the future generation of people growing up in the parish,” he said.
Opponents called into question the safety of Bells Hill, with Tony Deacon of the adjoining Olivey Place saying he experiences “considerable fright” walking from his home to the village.
“I can’t disagree with the obvious need for affordable housing, but my main objection is that this site is totally unsuitable,” he said. “Bells Hill is nothing more than a lane. It’s not wide enough to warrant a white line down it in legal terms.” Katie Zabell made a passionate appeal for the road to be made safe first before “adding more traffic and children.”
She said: “My son has nearly died on this stretch of road and many others have had close calls.”
And for biologist Dorit Smith it was an example of “big business riding roughshod” over the wishes of locals and the environment.
“If we had, all of us here, wanted to live in a town we would have gone to one,” she said.
In the end there was no consensus. More than 50 residents signed up to speak, including Karen Smith of boatbuilders’ Cockwells who were concerned of the potential “serious impact” on their business by the proposed narrowing of the road.
The opponents claimed to have a petition with more than 250 signatures and 100 letter of objection, whereas fifth generation Mylor man Chris Finnegan said he had a signed petition in favour of the development “with over 400 names on it”.
Comments(43)
victoriameldrew
says...
8:58pm Mon 11 Feb 13
Gill Zella Martin 09 wrote:just have to say this - Gill do you have a view on everything?
I would be interested to know if there is anywhere in the Falmouth, Truro, Helston, Porthleven areas etc that has not had people objecting to any proposed affordable/social housing schemes/building projects. It seems to be prevalent to object, it would appear nowhere is the right place for social housing, it is frequently quoted as someone saying they agree in principle but the site is wrong. Well welcome to the real world objectors social/affordable housing is needed in Cornwall and that includes in the villages as well as towns and the boating fraternity areas.
Gill Zella Martin 09
says...
9:11pm Mon 11 Feb 13
victoriameldrew
says...
9:20pm Mon 11 Feb 13
Gill Zella Martin 09
says...
9:39pm Mon 11 Feb 13
Wave
says...
10:17pm Mon 11 Feb 13
It's relevant to all humans, possibly other animals, but they can't read the comments so you just have to take them into account too.
It's very important to know how a decision gets made when people are waiting for homes to live in.
It reflects current thinking, law and whether any action needs to be done about it.
molesworth
says...
12:01am Tue 12 Feb 13
victoriameldrew wrote:I don't know about anybody else but I really enjoy Gill's comments. My comments tend to turn into rants but Gill's never do. She demonstrates even handedness in all matters unlike myself and most of the other nutters who frequent this site.
I don't really have an opinion as I don't live in Mylor - it just makes me smile that you seem to comment on just about everything - no matter how trivial - just my observation. I have kind of made it a game for myself that if there is one comment, I open it to see if it is you - most times I'm correct. Not saying that you don't have a right to express yourself - thats your perogative - just I some times find it mildly irritating that you comment with stories that have no bearing on you - that is my opinion.
Lanty Slee
says...
1:13am Tue 12 Feb 13
Or a victory for those who line their pockets using the promise of cheap houses that those selfsame youngsters are often unable to afford?
I don't agree with NIMBYism, but I don't agree with throwing up overpriced ticky-tack crap on greenfield sites just for the sake of it either.
If these houses were needed so badly then doubtless a less objectionable site could be found.
Seems we're all at the mercy of the money-men these days. So long as the job of providing "affordable" homes is effectively outsourced to the rapacious will of the free market then only one mantra will mean anything any more - and that is...
If it's cheap, build on it.
Wave
says...
2:46am Tue 12 Feb 13
The builders subsidise the affordable homes, 20 of them, because they are allowed to build 10 open market homes on the prime land.
Give the same offer to builders on a brownfield site and they will decline interest. You would have to pay them to do it.
victoriameldrew
says...
9:39am Tue 12 Feb 13
Wave wrote:nowhere have I said that this matter is not a bearing on anyone - I just don't have an opinion on this particular build because a) I do not live in Mylor and b) I don't know the area that they are talking about. I certainly do agree that there needs to be more affordable housing, in my own family there are youngsters who cannot afford the inflated prices in Cornwall and they are struggling to find somewhere to live. I do object however, to houses being built on sites which are totally unsuitable - for instance - the houses earmarked for Bickland Water Road in my own town of Falmouth. I know the area well as I drive past several times a day - the road is busy enough as it it with mothers dropping off their children to attend St Frances School - to build houses there, increasing the traffic is, in my opinion, foolhardy and should not be allowed. So, I do have my own comments and interests in affordable housing just not in Mylor!
Victormeldrew how can you claim a political and philosophical matter is not of bearing to anyone. The concern could be from someone who doesn't even live in the United Kingdom.
It's relevant to all humans, possibly other animals, but they can't read the comments so you just have to take them into account too.
It's very important to know how a decision gets made when people are waiting for homes to live in.
It reflects current thinking, law and whether any action needs to be done about it.
Claudius
says...
12:08pm Tue 12 Feb 13
I do agree that Gill does seem to keep an even keel...but I must admit to playing the same game as Victoriameldrew.
Wave
says...
12:38pm Tue 12 Feb 13
"I some times find it mildly irritating that you comment with stories that have no bearing on you"
You did say that, which shows you are deciding whether a matter is relevant on the behalf of someone else.
Gill Zella Martin 09
says...
1:29pm Tue 12 Feb 13
Wave is completely right, victoriameldrew said exactly what Wave has quoted, and like I said previously victoriameldrew has no idea as to what is of interest or relevant to me, or what stories have a bearing on me. I personally feel that most people that comment on this website are good at having rational debates and bring up some very interesting points and I enjoy reading others opinions, I even very often come round to their way of thinking, however, sadly there will always be the minority that only seem to comment when they want to pick fault with someone else for what in my opinion is no justifiable reason.
Claudius
says...
2:28pm Tue 12 Feb 13
Wave
says...
3:24pm Tue 12 Feb 13
Anonymity allows for more self expression, especially if it is against the current public sentiment.
omdurman 1898
says...
4:27pm Tue 12 Feb 13
Gill Zella Martin 09 wrote:What a load of RUBBISH! We live in a free Country and are free to express our opinion on all aspects of Society. In my opinion, since Cornwall Council became responsible for all Planning, they have Rubber Stamped just about every Application, whether it is to do with Housing, Solar Farms or Wind Turbines.
I would be interested to know if there is anywhere in the Falmouth, Truro, Helston, Porthleven areas etc that has not had people objecting to any proposed affordable/social housing schemes/building projects. It seems to be prevalent to object, it would appear nowhere is the right place for social housing, it is frequently quoted as someone saying they agree in principle but the site is wrong. Well welcome to the real world objectors social/affordable housing is needed in Cornwall and that includes in the villages as well as towns and the boating fraternity areas.
Of course we need new Homes, that is not in any doubt, but i am passionate in my opposition to developing Green Belt especially in the Kergilliack and Menehay/ Roscarrack areas.
Now Gill Martin/ Gill Zella Martin 09, perhaps you could tell us where you think these areas are if you think you know Cornwall!
I wonder if you think about what to comment on in next week's Falmouth Packet when you are travelling on the Bus to Falmouth for Lunch and a Lemonade at Wetherspoons? And do you really live in Mullion? Or is it Porthleven?
victoriameldrew
says...
4:50pm Tue 12 Feb 13
Claudius wrote:thanks Claudius - nice to know I am not alone!!!
Molesworth, just because somebody holds a different opinion to you doesn't make them a nutter.
I do agree that Gill does seem to keep an even keel...but I must admit to playing the same game as Victoriameldrew.
Wave
says...
5:02pm Tue 12 Feb 13
I wonder if you think about what to comment on in next week's Falmouth Packet when you are travelling on the Bus to Falmouth for Lunch and a Lemonade at Wetherspoons? And do you really live in Mullion? Or is it Porthleven?"
What point are you hoping to make?
Lord Barrington Forbes-Smythe
says...
5:10pm Tue 12 Feb 13
General measured comments about NIMBYism or anything else are perfectly valid, even if they happen to annoy certain individuals who are affected (in some cases only emotionally) by this or other stories. Who knows: instead of having a knee-jerk reaction, some people might actually learn something from the debate, modify their views and move on.
My children are in their last year of school, so according to these self-appointed moderators' rules, I should no longer say what I think about the proposed Penryn free school from this summer... This particular nutter better get his comments on that in quick!
omdurman 1898
says...
5:26pm Tue 12 Feb 13
Gill Zella Martin 09
says...
5:30pm Tue 12 Feb 13
omdurman 1898 wrote:I did not state that you could not have an opinion and If you have a problem with Cornwall Councils planning department then I suggest you take it up with them, I simply asked the question has there been any applications for social/affordable housing that have not been objected to.There are current objections to the proposed ones for Truro and Porthleven etc and many more in the past. Regarding your irrelevant comments I do not travel to Falmouth by bus to have lunch, I happen to have lunch in Falmouth if I need to be in Falmouth anyway, I no longer use the buses as I found them too unreliable therefore I drive in. As for where I live, I live in an area of outstanding natural beauty and welcomed the affordable housing when it was built locally to me. I actually consider it really none of your concern where I live but I will point out that I cannot be responsible for what location the Packet chooses to decide to say that I live in.
Gill Zella Martin 09 wrote:What a load of RUBBISH! We live in a free Country and are free to express our opinion on all aspects of Society. In my opinion, since Cornwall Council became responsible for all Planning, they have Rubber Stamped just about every Application, whether it is to do with Housing, Solar Farms or Wind Turbines.
I would be interested to know if there is anywhere in the Falmouth, Truro, Helston, Porthleven areas etc that has not had people objecting to any proposed affordable/social housing schemes/building projects. It seems to be prevalent to object, it would appear nowhere is the right place for social housing, it is frequently quoted as someone saying they agree in principle but the site is wrong. Well welcome to the real world objectors social/affordable housing is needed in Cornwall and that includes in the villages as well as towns and the boating fraternity areas.
Of course we need new Homes, that is not in any doubt, but i am passionate in my opposition to developing Green Belt especially in the Kergilliack and Menehay/ Roscarrack areas.
Now Gill Martin/ Gill Zella Martin 09, perhaps you could tell us where you think these areas are if you think you know Cornwall!
I wonder if you think about what to comment on in next week's Falmouth Packet when you are travelling on the Bus to Falmouth for Lunch and a Lemonade at Wetherspoons? And do you really live in Mullion? Or is it Porthleven?
Gill Zella Martin 09
says...
5:37pm Tue 12 Feb 13
Gill Zella Martin 09
says...
5:47pm Tue 12 Feb 13
I look forward to reading your comments on the free school.
Wave
says...
6:02pm Tue 12 Feb 13
Wave
says...
6:30pm Tue 12 Feb 13
Gill Zella Martin 09
says...
6:47pm Tue 12 Feb 13
I agree Wave, that would be a preferable option.
Lanty Slee
says...
8:14pm Tue 12 Feb 13
Wave wrote:The police, or the brownshirts?
By zero tolerance I mean calling the police to get them removed.
Wave
says...
8:15pm Tue 12 Feb 13
Gill Zella Martin 09
says...
8:27pm Tue 12 Feb 13
meerkats
says...
9:50pm Tue 12 Feb 13
Wave
says...
10:09pm Tue 12 Feb 13
Targeted attacks with no critical point to make is the bad thing going on.
molesworth
says...
10:26pm Tue 12 Feb 13
meerkats wrote:Well said Meerkats. Regarding my earlier 'nutter' remark - sorry but I regard most people as fairly nutty. Including myself. Some people should also learn to not take themselves so seriously, perhaps. The world might be a more convivial place.
Leave Gill alone , I ,always enjoy reading her comments, which are interesting, and never rude or insulting to commenters. Gill has a wealth of knowledge and takes a great interest in a lot of things and should be allowed to express her opinions with being criticised.
One thing I do know is you'll never please everybody no matter your point of view especially when it's not 'politically correct'. Bring on the nutters!
Wave
says...
10:54pm Tue 12 Feb 13
You see how interesting things can get from a simple story about planning permissions in a small village.
Claudius
says...
10:56pm Tue 12 Feb 13
I think your commenting appears more interesting than the original story from the amount of comments that have appeared.
Lanty Slee
says...
1:38am Wed 13 Feb 13
Gill Zella Martin 09
says...
8:16am Wed 13 Feb 13
I will conclude by referencing the comment submitted by omdurman1898 directed to me. Whilst I recognise that the housing issue is very emotive for those on both sides of the debate and each side has a valid argument to be considered, if omdurmans comment to me and additionally omdurman's subsequent comment are prime examples of that used at public meetings and elsewhere, with which to try to justify the refusal of a new build project then I am not in the least surprised that many planning applications are approved. I do not believe that interjections of personal or irrelevant comments help the defence of any case put forward. I suggest people stick to the facts preferably backed up with evidence and additionally treat others at the meeting or elsewhere with respect.
telstar1962
says...
2:25pm Wed 13 Feb 13
The design and construction was first-class, and the property owner was pleased with the outcome and realised some very nice people became neighbours.
Many of Cornwall's villages have expanded over time,and it is only natural that established communities look in angst at what further progress will bring.
In answer to Gillian's question, I think you will find that developments in Cury and Lizard Village have previously been most welcomed by residents,with the view that it will provide their offspring with the opportunity to live and work nearby.
On the other hand, some Mylor people are probably reacting in the same way that inhabitants of Helford Village or Gillan would,if proposals were to be submitted closeby to their 2nd homes idyllic setting
I have also previously had the misfortune to come across some very arrogant and self-serving villagers who didn't like the thought of affordable homes,because of what effect it may have on their own property value,but who forgot that when they moved in from the big city 25 years ago,their houses had just been built on farmland.
Gill Zella Martin 09
says...
3:20pm Wed 13 Feb 13
Gill Zella Martin 09
says...
4:26pm Wed 13 Feb 13
omdurman 1898
says...
12:02pm Fri 15 Feb 13
I succeeded in getting Gill Martin/ Gill Zella Martin 09 to refer several times about my comment's on local Housing in the Falmouth area. Right, job done.
I note that Cornwall Council have now 'Rubber Stamped' the Application to build Homes in Mylor and Mabe. I am not surprised, that despite the vehement objection of a lot of people living in those Villages, that their views have been dismissed 'out of hand'.
I suppose we can expect that, despite Bickland Water Road being one of the busiest in the County, the Planners will grant permission to destroy another area of Greenbelt at Kergilliack with up to 300 Houses. I might add, that at least Falmouth Town Council and Budock Parish Council have objected to this.
Gill Zella Martin 09
says...
1:19pm Fri 15 Feb 13
Gill Zella Martin 09
says...
1:49pm Fri 15 Feb 13
molesworth
says...
4:46pm Fri 15 Feb 13
And let's not forget that locals sell their inherited homes to who ever's got the most money so it's not the person who buys or rents that is 'at fault' but the person who sold the property in the first place. A local person!
My point is not to have a go at locals but those who moan about lack of affordable housing and blame everyone but locals. Falmouth was poor and predominantly 'working class' to use a quaint expression but it is now an expensive and desirable location just like many other waterside towns and villages in Europe. Get over it.
Gill Zella Martin 09 says...
7:41pm Mon 11 Feb 13