The 87 newly elected councillors in Cornwall have a special opportunity to bring fresh thinking to the welfare of the green fields and landscapes of Cornwall.

That’s the firm belief of the Cornwall branch of the countryside charity CPRE.

It’s calling on all newly elected politicians to ensure Cornwall Council is not a slave to National Government house building targets and to see Cornwall as more than a money-making machine for developers by valuing and caring for the landscapes that make our county so special.

Cornwall CPRE says pumping money into the county can do as much harm as good

Richard Stubbs, chairman of Cornwall CPRE, says, “Let’s be clear, these projects are destructive.

"Almost without exception, the profits go out of Cornwall and in the case of the solar farms, even to foreign governments.

"Now is surely a time for the new team of councillors to vote with their consciences and put the true values of Cornwall first.

"A good start would be to modify or refuse planning applications in light of the true environmental impact of every proposed development.

"It’s time to cherish nature, wildlife habitats, landscapes and the quality of rural life - the very things that make Cornwall so special. The ability to grow food, for example, creates income for Cornwall, year-round jobs, and reduces carbon and transport miles."

He said money should be spent on developing the rural transport network, paying sub-postmasters more to help keep rural Post Offices open, renovating empty buildings and introducing an empty buildings tax on the owners, subsidising brownfield sites for affordable housing development and enforcing regulations to stop pollution of rivers and begin a programme to bring life back to our market towns.

“Finally, let’s address the seemingly unchecked expansion of the tourism industry," he said.

"Everyone likes to see our visitors having a well-deserved holiday, especially at this time. But everything has its limits and surely our county and our infrastructure have reached theirs.

"The developers rallying cry “it brings money into Cornwall” is beginning to look like self-interest at the expense of our landscapes and environment. The revenue tourism brings into Cornwall is largely seasonal and so are the jobs. We have deserted ‘ghost’ towns and villages in winter, whilst there are insufficient homes for local people. Then, of course, there is summer gridlock.”

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