Affordable housing at a 202-home development on the edge of Liskeard is set to be cut from 25 per cent to 15 per cent. The controversial change has been approved by Cornwall Council as part of a revised scheme for Tencreek Farm, off Plymouth Road.
Menheniot Parish Council raised concerns and wanted the application considered by Cornwall Council's planning committee. It also sought answers over whether local people would get priority for the affordable homes.
Developer Wain Homes (South West) Ltd has also sought changes to the Section 106 agreement attached to the original permission, including the removal of a number of financial contributions on viability grounds. The proposed changes will reduce affordable housing from 25 per cent to 15 per cent and alter the tenure mix.
They have also triggered changes to the development's layout, particularly at the south-east corner covering plots 187 to 202. These include different house types and highway arrangements, a new bungalow design and an additional footpath link along the south-west boundary.
Minutes from Menheniot Parish Council in July record the variation was called to committee, with Cllr Sean Smith meeting Cornwall Council’s Chief of Planning and its legal department. However, a request for the parish council chairman to attend was refused.
The parish council was seeking answers about the proportion of affordable homes that would meet local need and whether Liskeard and Menheniot residents would be given priority. Cllr Smith also asked whether homes would first be offered to people locally before being cascaded to nearby parishes, elsewhere in Cornwall or nationally. He also sought clarification over housing association rentals and whether local need would be prioritised if homes were made available in that way.
The minutes state Cllr Smith was awaiting responses to his queries. Despite the concerns, the application was ultimately determined by a planning officer.
Liskeard Town Council did not object but called for confirmation that the financial viability assessment linked to the proposals had been properly verified and that there would be no further erosion of the developer's commitments.
The wider scheme will deliver 202 homes across around 10.98 hectares of land south-west of Liskeard town centre. The revised development includes two, three and four-bedroom houses, apartments and bungalows.
Around 2.6 hectares will be provided as open space, including an equipped play area, village green, informal green space and links to woodland. The scheme must also deliver at least 10 per cent biodiversity net gain, with monitoring required over 30 years.
Major highway works will be required before occupation, including improvements around the A390, Charter Way and Liskerrett Road, pedestrian and cycle links, tactile paving and changes to bus stop infrastructure. Conditions also cover drainage, ecology, landscaping, archaeology, construction traffic, parking, travel planning and open space.
The site forms part of an urban extension identified for development through the Menheniot Neighbourhood Plan. Wain Homes have said the development would help meet housing demand locally and support Liskeard’s role as a major service centre.
Liskeard Scheme Approval Cuts Affordable Housing to 15%