Changes should be made to a draft blueprint for Cornwall’s future which includes plans for 52,500 new homes.

That’s the view of the Planning Inspector in charge of Cornwall Council’s Local Plan, who has called for a number of changes which, the council says, it had already put forward for consultation last July.

Cornwall Council cabinet member for planning Edwina Hannaford said: ’There are no surprises here and crucially, the Inspector accepts that the overall housing target of 52,500 new homes to be built is sound.  

’As at April of this year, 36,000 of this total number already have planning permission or have been built so we are looking at an additional 16,500 new homes by 2030.

’But the Local Plan is about being able to support the development of Neighbourhood Plans and working closely with communities to understand their needs and concerns; it is about promoting and supporting economic growth; it is about protecting and cherishing our unique landscape and it is about improving the quality of new development in Cornwall.

’I hope that we can now proceed to get the Plan adopted, carry out further consultation on strategic allocations in the main towns and start to apply some robust local planning policies to our planning decisions. 

’In that way, we can start to resist unwanted and speculative development and help shape communities - not just build housing estates.’

The key changes required are:

An increase in overall housing from 47,500 to 52,500 dwellings.

Some changes in the distribution of housing in the main towns and Community Network Areas to reflect the increase.

A clearer explanation of the Plan’s role in taking forward the Council’s economic strategy and the identification of a jobs target of 38,000 new jobs.

The recommendations will be considered in full by the Council’s planning portfolio advisory committee in October followed by the cabinet and all councillors in November.