'Affordable' homes boost for Helston (From Falmouth Packet)

'Affordable' homes boost for Helston

12:00pm Friday 15th June 2012 in Helston

HELSTON’S number of affordable homes could get a boost after the town’s planning committee voted to support an application for 17 local needs houses.

The plans, submitted by local development company Graceloft Ltd, owned by David Martin also outlined 15 open market homes.

If he gets the go ahead from Cornwall Council, all 32 new homes will be built to expand the |town’s newest housing estate on |currently unused land off Passmore Road.

The scheme was initially met with worries over privacy and the height of the buildings among concerns that the area, which sits alongside the new bypass, was getting too congested.

Committee chairman and Mayor, Jonathan Radford-Gaby said: “We resolved to support the application because the committee decided that the issues they raised with the scheme last time round have been resolved and are in line with the council’s general policy of supporting local needs and affordable homes.”

The plan for the houses, which range from two to three bedroom properties, were supported with a vote of 5-1, with Cllr Niall Devenish being the only councillor to oppose support. There were no complaints from members of the public.

Cllr Radford-Gaby said: “It was a detailed debate it was considered by all members before we took the vote. My own view is that we desperately need affordable homes in the area and I’m pleased to support the scheme.

He agreed that the area had undergone significant development in recent years but said that was something which Cornwall Council would now have to consider.

“There is an awful lot of greenery and countryside around the edge of it (the development)” he said, “For me personally I don’t see that as an issue.”