A parish council has objected to plans to build much-needed affordable housing in a village saying the development does not meet the community’s needs.

An outline planning application has been submitted to Cornwall Council to build 14 homes in the village of Ashton with half of the homes being affordable.

Planning officers have recommended that the council’s west sub-area planning committee should grant approval when they meet to discuss the plans on Monday.

But Breage Parish Council said there was “significant local opposition” to the plans for the site off Rinsey Lane and they supported residents’ objections.

They stated: “There is no shop in Ashton and parishioners would need transport to get to the named villages and the bus service that is provided, being very irregular, would not fulfil this need. The agricultural land does contribute to the area. It has been and is used for silage and grazing animals. The suggested housing does not meet the needs of the community. The development provides no amenities for the area.

“There is already a lack of infrastructure in Ashton. Additional infrastructure would be needed to support 14 additional families. Doctors’ and dentists’ surgeries already have zero vacancies. The nearest infant/junior school is at 95 per cent capacity and the secondary college at Helston also has high numbers.”

The parish council has also raised concerns about the location of the planned development as well as problems on roads and access to the site.

The new planning application for 14 homes has come forward after an earlier plan for 43 homes was refused planning permission.

Planning officers said the applicant had amended access plans for the site and included improvements for pedestrians and that there were no objections from the council’s highways team.

They also state that the application has been supported by the council’s affordable housing officers.

The officers conclude: “Notwithstanding local concerns, there are no adverse impacts that would significantly and demonstrably outweigh the benefits of the proposal and therefore, on balance, the proposed development is considered acceptable and the impacts of the development can be made acceptable via planning conditions.”

The west sub-area planning committee is due to meet in Penzance on Monday (Oct 21) to discuss the plans.