Cornish Social & Economic Research Group
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_______________________________________________Shops will go as out-of-town developers snap up premises,
West Briton, 13 August 2008
Two thriving businesses in St Ives — including the town's only optician — are set to close after out-of-town property developers bought the building. Fusion women's fashion on Fern Lea Terrace will shut at the end of September after the Bristol-based developers hiked the rent on the new lease by 50%. Neighbouring optician Maxwell Short has also decided to cease trading after 19 years, with the loss of four part-time jobs, after negotiating an opt-out of his lease. The 56-year old optician said he was sad to leave up to 2,000 elderly patients without locally-based treatment but regretted that dust, vibration and noise caused by building works would be too disruptive. Mr Short said: "I feel very sad about the whole situation and worry that a lot of elderly people won't get their eyes tested because of the need to travel into Hayle or Penzance."
Developers Construction and Real Estate Properties Ltd, who also own the under-threat Norway Stores, plan to add five flats in the basement and first floor of the building. Melanie Morgan Fisher, who has worked in Fusion for nine years, said her London-based owner could not afford the increase in rent to £12,000 per year. "When the new owners took over we thought he would keep it as a shop, but he obviously wants us out," she said. "A lot of disabled people get taxis to see the optician and they are going to be stuck now. It's very upsetting and if the whole of St Ives ends up like this it will be a ghost town." County Councillor Andrew Mitchell said local government needed to stand up for communities. "Places need hearts in order to pump around the lifeblood of the community and if we have that taken away, you wake up and wonder where the town has gone. Through planning legislation we need to make sure that towns and villages are not open to fast buck markets for people to do what they want then leave."
CoSERG Comment
This news item exemplifies the current crisis in Cornwall. The threat to community, jobs and environment is clear enough. But why has the situation arisen? Quite simply, Cornwall has become a developers paradise. An over-emphasis on tourism, a belief that encouraging more people to live or buy a second/investment property in Cornwall is a good thing, have meant that land and property is seen simply as an asset to make money out of, regardless of the impact on the local community. Yet, most political parties have accepted a neo-liberal approach to the economy and have rejected the option of a Cornish Assembly, which leaves little room for an effective intervention.
For news source...www.thisiscornwall.co.uk
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Residents 'up in arms' at bid to construct 36 new homes,
West Briton, 6 August 2008
Residents at Higher Pengegon are caught up in a planning dispute over a new housing project. More than 100 people have so far signed a petition objecting to the proposal to build 36 houses and bungalows at Pengegon Villa. Developer Dave Sames, of Kerthenwood Homes, has defended the outline application as providing housing for local people. “Throughout the two years in which the proposals have been under development, thorough and careful consideration has been given to all the variables relative to the development of the site.” Residents said they would be making their views known to Camborne Town and Kerrier District councils. “The parking issues at Higher Pengegon cause tremendous problems. Over the years this area has had numerous flooding issues and it is felt this risk still remains.” Extensive flood risk and mining assessments had been carried out and providing a mix of properties would reflect the semi-rural character of the area.
CoSERG Comment
Residents of Pengegon are rightly concerned over this housing development. It is one of many which are pushed forward on the grounds of meeting local housing need, which unless they are predominantly affordable, it will not do, and at the same time results in another green area disappearing. Use of brownfield sites might be a better option yet they are few and far between in the area and the biggest — near Crofty/Tuckingmill valley is to be greened!
News source...www.thisiscornwall.co.uk
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Penventon hotel plans,
West Briton, 6 August 2008
The Penventon Park Hotel at Redruth has unveiled plans for a multi-million pound expansion. The proposals will extend the hotel's existing facilities to provide 30 additional luxury bedrooms, state-of-the-art conference and events centre, a large public lounge, new health and leisure spa to include a large swimming pool, custom built gym, relaxing treatment rooms for massage therapies and a new brasserie-style restaurant. They also include the development of up to 80 houses on adjoining land. This will provide a range of high quality housing for Redruth. The residential development will release finance required for investment in the hotel..
CoSERG Comment
There are some positive elements to this proposal. Expanding the facilties here at an established location is far more appropriate than creating new faciltiies elsewhere and hence duplicating facilities. An in town location with access to rail and bus and local leisure/night life services is more sustainable than say provision of a facility at Pool.
However, there is one significant drawback. Using housing to facilitate financing the expansion is a serious flaw. First, is the land to be used appropriate for housing development? Second, if houses are to be sold to fund the project, then they will, understandably, be sold at the highest price, which is not going to help to meet the need for affordable housing. Indeed, housing developments which rely on higher income buyers to move to the area, push up existing house prices and reduce the availability of housing for the local market. If funding is required, then finance should be diverted from other less useful projects would be more sustainable.
For more...www.thisiscornwall.co.uk
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Plans for thousands of homes spark concerns,
West Briton, 6 August 2008
Residents of Illogan came out in force to express their concerns about possible development plans for their community over the next 20 years. More than 400 people visited Penwartha Hall to see Kerrier Council's initial ideas for its Area Action Plan, which will shape the Camborne Pool and Redruth area until 2026. The council forecasts around 9,400 homes will need to be built. Land for 5,600 homes has already been earmarked and it has identified pockets of land that it feels would be suitable for the remaining 3,800. It has also come up with three possible options for providing the homes. Under “Option HB”, Illogan would provide all the new housing with 930 to the south of the village, 2,250 to the west and 600 to the east. The prospect was enough to send hundreds of villagers scurrying to the exhibition to air their feelings.
CoSERG Comment
Residents of Illogan are rightly concerned about the housing proposals contained in the new AAP. If however, they wish to make an impact on policy they need to do a number of things. Residents need to work with other residents and groups in Camborne and Redruth to campaign against the unsustainable housing targets for the whole area. It is no use simply looking at Illogan, the whole area is threatened by unsustainable housing and related development. They would also be wise to work with other groups across Cornwall who face similar threats. Rather than argue on the grounds of lack of infrastructure, or potential traffic congestion, the case should be made against policies which perpetuate unsustainable population growth in Cornwall. The Government has already come up with ideas to provide additional infrastructure. They will be prepared to provide funds to support development proposals. Residents should realise that the new housing is not to meet local need or improve affordability, it is simply to encourage further population growth. Residents also need to contest the proposals in the latest edition of the Regional Spatial Strategy. It is here where Government imposed figures appear and which will be used to justify figures at the local level.
For news source...www.thisiscornwall.co.uk
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Relax red tape to help rural areas says MP's report,
West Briton, 23 July 2008
Widespread changes are needed in the British planning system to help provide vibrant communities, a new report from Cornish MP Matthew Taylor will reveal today. The Taylor Review has been published by the Truro and St Austell MP after he was asked by Prime Minister Gordon Brown to carry out an independent review to look at how the planning system could better support the sustainability of rural communities.
Since he was commissioned to write the report he has visited areas all over the UK to investigate the problems that exist in rural communities. As a result he has come up with 48 recommendations to the Government about how the situation could be improved.
CoSERG Comment
Although an interesting document, the policy recommendations are limited to tinkering with the system, for example by proposing that new planning rules in National Parks could be trailed to limit second homes, to change the threshold at which affordable housing is required, and to exempt affordable housing from the Community Infrastructure Levy.
Yet experience in Cornwall would suggest more radical measures are required. Changes in planning legislation could for, example, require all changes of use from permanent residential to second homes, holiday lettings, investment use, to require planning permission. When housing proposals are brought forward, where developments are intended/likely to cater for non-local need, there should be a presumption against granting permission. It is for example, unlikely that dwellings at the luxury end of the market would assist in meeting local need! Finally, the whole system of depending on developers to provide affordable housing should be replaced by one where public funds are directly used to fund local needs housing schemes.
For more...www.thisiscornwall.co.uk
Taylor review...PDF
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PUBLIC CONSULTATION - Camborne, Pool, Illogan and Redruth Area Action Plan
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Hayle - opportunity or threat?
11 July 2008
The paper states that:
- The proportion of brownfield land in the new built up area is exaggerated.
- There will be a loss of significant areas of green field and open space.
- The current informal recreational use of the area will end.
- Eighty-three % of dwellings will be unaffordable and therefore not available to the local community.
- The number of affordable dwellings built will only provide sufficient dwellings for a third of those households with a local connection seeking an affordable home in Hayle.
- The number of jobs created for the existing community is limited.
- The port area will be sterilised for future maritime use.
| For the CoSERG paper..... ‘Hayle - opportunity or threat?’ |
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Cheers greet rejection of homes plan
West Briton, 9 July 2008
Applause and cheers rang out as planners threw out plans for 140 homes in Penryn. Poltair Developments' plans for the former Gabbons Nursery land at Round Ring were refused by Carrick District Council's planning committee. The decision went against officers' recommendation and follows earlier refusal of outline plans. Eric Dawkins, speaking on behalf of the objectors said: “We are delighted. This means a second refusal for the site. “We can prove agricultural use is what the site should be for and if the company appeal we should have enough proof that it is needed and will continue to fight.”
Officers were keen to provide 56 new affordable homes within the development to help the area's desperate need. Mr Wilkes raised concerns these homes were not going to local people, but Mr Varney pointed out it would be up to the council to ensure they did. Members voted to refuse permission on the basis that development in the countryside was against council policy.
CoSERG Comment
Although residents may welcome the news, it is likely that as the government ramp up housing targets that sites such as this will eventually be deemed suitable for housing. Once again, the dependence on developers providing affordable housing is used to justify the unjustifiable.
News source...www.thisiscornwall.co.uk
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Chamber members get first look at park and ride project,
West Briton, 9 July 2008
The environmentally-friendly, park-like site will offer 600 spaces, in sections bearing tree and plant names, with the same amount expected to become available at the end of September.
Negotiations are already under way to start the scheme's second phase, a further car park near the cattle market off Newquay Road, on the other side of the city. Some potential conflicts have already arisen, including concern over what the charges will rise to after August 29, with Mr Blackler admitting they would not be allowed to undercut existing services between Threemilestone and Truro.
CoSERG Comment
Generally park and ride schemes can be criticised on the basis that they are not an effective solution to resolving increasing levels of traffic and resultant congestion. They take up considerable areas of greenfield land, have a limited impact on reducing traffic, still allow for significant car use along routes into urban centres and are completely offset by road widening schemes, which encourage car use.
- The site is a large 28 acre greenfield site;
- After weighing up costs, time and convenience, car drivers may well decide to drive all the way to Truro;
- Car traffic can only be reduced along a short stretch of road. Individuals will still drive to Threemilestone, so congestion on roads to the site will increase;
- Development plans for Truro will lead to additional traffic using all roads to the city.
Resources would be better spent on creating cheap, regular and fast seamless bus services between existing settlements thereby cutting out the use of cars along all the route and obviating the need for greenfield development. For other commuters and visitors It is also the case that a car park cannot be environmentally friendly – any development of a car park means resources are being devoted to car users rather than alternative means of transport.
One question not addressed in the news item is why is congestion increasing? Congestion is incrreasing, partly due to the concentration of employment and retail in the city and partly as more land is developed for additional housing and other uses.
For more...www.thisiscornwall.co.uk
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Anger over 'second home' adverts,
BBC News, 1 July 2008
Estate agents have rejected calls to stop marketing South West properties to holiday home buyers. The practice has got out of hand with some family properties being marketed as holiday homes, Cornwall MP Andrew George has said.
Estate Agents say it is a free market and more land is needed for housing. But the South West Regional Assembly, which controls planning, said a "dash for housing" would ruin the region's open spaces.
Mr George said estate agents eager to cash in on demand for second homes were marketing local homes as "ideal holiday homes". He said he had evidence of the practice in places such as Hayle, which is favoured by local families and with relatively few second or holiday homes. "The market and price across a lot of west Cornwall and Scilly is at least heavily influenced if not dictated by second home purchasers," Mr George said.
He added, "It is quite wrong for the developers of new properties, which would be ideal for local families, to market them on the expectation that they should be sold to second home buyers instead."
CoSERG Comment
The issues of properties being marketed and sold for second homes is a serious one which requires addressing. Simply building more houses neither solves the problem or is sustainable.
For more...news.bbc.co.uk
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'Work to do' on eco-town project,
BBC News, 23 June 2008
The Eco-Towns Challenge Panel report says the sustainable aspects of the Imerys China Clay Community scheme "need further work". Imerys says it intends to employ "strong sustainable principles" and enhancing transport infrastructure is a key element of the project. Imerys wants to build at six locations: Par Docks, Bugle, Nanpean, West Carclaze, Baal and Blackpool clay pit and its plan is the only shortlisted project in the South West. But only 10 of the low-carbon, towns will eventually get the go-ahead and the Eco-Towns Challenge Panel also criticised other sites in its report including Weston Otmoor in Oxfordshire and Curborough, Staffordshire. The panel's role is to recommend potential improvements to each developer for their eco-town proposals, but is not responsible for assessing proposals. The panel of experts advising the government on the scheme says there is no clear idea of who "owns the vision for the town" in the Imerys project. And while the report says "the promoter has the financial standing to deliver a high quality development and the close collaboration between the bidder and the local authority is commended" it says more work is needed on alternatives to road transport.
CoSERG Comment
The development of ‘eco-towns’ represents an attempt by Government to give the impression that it is doing something about meeting housing need and doing so in an environmentally friendly way. Such an approach is fundamentally flawed. To talk of sustainability when the population of Cornwall continues to grow at its current rate is totally inappropriate. Taken together the impact of population growth and the developments associated with such growth cannot be sustainable. Eco-towns may provide an opportunity to developers to bring forward plans, which the Government will favour, but will do nothing for the community or the environment.
For more.... BBC News....
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Announcing a Revelation in 'cutting edge' housing
West Briton, 20 June 2008
A property company spearheading a £70 million investment in Newquay has announced plans for further redevelopment. Acorn Blue, the coastal living specialist branch of Acorn Property Group, bought the former guesthouse, Cribber Green Room on Headland Road this week. The company has outlined plans to develop the building into 14 'cutting edge' apartments. These will be divided into 12 two-bedroom flats, with the two penthouses having three bedrooms each. Nicola Markham, South West sales director for Acorn, said the plans were a sign of company's continued support for Newquay. “We are confident that Newquay will continue to enjoy its growing reputation as one of the UK's top lifestyle destinations and that is why we have taken the opportunity of buying another prime location on the town's stunning Headland Road. “There are very few places in the country that can boast a world famous surfing beach on its doorstep, fabulous views on both sides and a way of life that has a real buzz to it, but that can, at the same time, offer perfect tranquillity.
CoSERG Comment
So there it is in a nutshell, new housing development for Newquay is there for one reason only, to create and then meet the ‘demand’ for luxury housing for those wealthy enough to be able to purchage a property in a ‘desirable’ location. So much for sustainability, so much for the assertions made by Government ministers, developers and those tasked with regeneration that new housing is to meet local needs and help the local community.
For more... West Briton
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Facing a tough choice over future of land,
West Briton, Friday, 17 June 2008
Plans to develop a piece of land beside Drump Road in Redruth could leave the community with a tough choice. Lowena Homes wants to build 53 flats on the site split into three blocks – a two-storey, a three-storey and a four-storey building, with associated parking. The acre or so of land is currently home to an administrative block for a local nursery, an Army Cadet hut and a Scout hut. Redruth Charity Trust owns the land and, if the development goes ahead, could get £500,000 from the sale plus eight apartments to rent to local people.
However not all residents are behind the scheme. A number of them feel traffic flow in the Drump Road area is already at breaking point at certain times of the day. They do not believe the social infrastructure – such as schools and doctors and dental surgeries –would be able to cope with a development on this scale. And they question whether the Redruth community needs, or indeed wants a development of this type. Mr Biscoe believes there are already enough new flats in Redruth, many unsold. He added: “When will developers realise that the people of Redruth do not want to live in an overcrowded and congested environment?”
CoSERG Comment
This is another of the many examples of where the community is asked to choose between green space and housing and in this case funds to support a worthwhile cause. Housing development should be assessed on its own merits and there is certainly a case to be made for retaining and enhancing green areas within the town and resisting the rush towards more high density building. The future for the people of Cornwall is increasingly bleak as the population will be forced to live at a high density in an urbanised environment. The question is why is this situation occuring? It is the meet the unsustainable population and housing targets being foisted upon Cornwall.
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Major road scheme plan for key towns to go on public show,
thisiscornwall.co.uk, 16 June 2008
Proposals for a new major road scheme for the Camborne-Pool-Redruth area go on public display at the Hub Club, near Carn Brea Leisure Centre on Tuesday between 1pm and 7.30pm. This scheme forms the first phase of Cornwall County Council's £46 million transport proposals to assist economic regeneration of the area by improving east-west highway links between Redruth and Camborne and by providing a high quality north-south link between the A30 trunk road and the South Crofty area.
These road improvements form part of a wider proposal that supports the economic regeneration of the CPR area with the aim of attracting 6,000 new jobs and providing 6,000 new homes in the area, led by the Urban Regeneration Company. Peter Swain, the council's major highway projects manager, said: “In preparing these proposals, our objectives have been to assist the future regeneration of the area by improving accessibility, providing safe highway layouts for all users, and enable the free flow of traffic along the east, west and north-south transport corridors. “All this has to be achieved without creating undue adverse effects on residents, businesses and the environment.” Proposals for a second phase of improvements between Dudnance Lane and Dolcoath are being worked up and will be presented at a later date.
CoSERG Comment
So the East –west highway process continues to wend its weary way through the consultation process. Yet it is a completely unnecessary development, wrapped up in the language of regeneration, giving the impression that the community will benefit through new houses and jobs. In reality the road is designed to accommodate additional traffic which is planned for the area as major new traffic generating developments are brought forward. For example, the new leisure centre and Heartlands scheme will both be major traffic generators. And as recent research has indicated, increasing the supply of road space lead to extra traffic. As for the new housing and jobs, these are not new, additions for the benefit of the local community, they are not to meet local need. They are designed for the new population which will be encouraged to move to Cornwall. To describe building more housing as regeneration is untenable.
The consequences for the communities of Camborne, Redruth, Pool and adjacent areas will be a severe reduction in the quality of life - extra traffic, less green space and an historic environment emasculated to meet the needs of a failed policy initiative. At a time when over-dependence on car use is increasingly apparent funds should be used to create a good, efficient and competitive public transport system.
For more.... www.thisiscornwall.co.uk
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Cornwall’s population unsustainable boom,
13 June 2008
Figures released by ONS on 12th June, suggest that by 2031, the population of Cornwall will reach 682,000, an increase of 29.5% since 2006.
- - This growth rate is far higher than the average of 19% across England;
- - It is the 17th highest of the 148 Counties, Unitaries and London Boroughs;
Preliminary analysis of the data indicates that if the population increases at the same rate, by 2056 the population will reach 883,000. So within the space of 50 years the population will have risen by a substantial 357,000 or 68%.
What does this mean in terms of households? Household size is expected to continue to decline. So to calculate the number of potential households, we have to look at both the population figures and the expected household size in 2031 and 2056. Assuming that the rate at which household size continues to decline in line with current trends, then this would mean an extra 102,000 households by 2031 together with an extra 155,000 between 2031 and 2056. If household size stabilized in 2031 this would still mean an additional 99,000 households between 2031 and 2056.
This means that by 2056, household numbers would have risen by between 201,000 (86%) and 257,000 (110%) above the 2006 level.
In terms of dwellings we can expect a minimum increase in dwelling numbers of the same proportion, namely between 201,000 and 257,000 by 2056. However, if dwellings were also bought as second homes, which is quite likely under current circumstances, this would push up the number of dwellings above this minimum level. Assuming that 6% of all properties are used as second homes, would suggest that an additional 12-15,000 dwellings would be built solely to provide properties for new second home owners.
Cornwall’s population already requires three times as many resources than the area can provide. The population increase outlined above would push it up to five times as much.
Such a rate of population and housing growth can only be described as totally unacceptable and unsustainable.
Yet this scenario is only based upon existing trends which themselves are the result of the interplay of a number of factors – the property market, building houses specifically to attract people to Cornwall, the portrayal of and selling of Cornwall as a desirable place to live work and play. Different policies could result in different results, a stabilized population and more sustainable conditions. Without different policies, the outlook for Cornwall is grim..
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Warning on house building targets,
BBC, Friday, 6 June 2008
Ministers are "very unlikely" to achieve housing targets, the UK's chief advisor on home building has warned. Professor Stephen Nickell said that, unless conditions change, the target of three million new homes in England by 2020 will not be met. To get to this target, the housing industry needs to be building 240,000 homes a year, a figure that few think they will achieve this year. The industry is already behind in its construction targets. Just over 200,000 new homes were built last year. Homebuilders have cut back new building this year as a lack of mortgage products and falling house prices have cut demand. Mr Nickell, who heads the National Housing and Planning Advice Unit, believes that alongside the financial constraints local authorities are also holding up new house building. "Unless local authorities are given a strong incentive to allow house building in their locality, it seems to me very unlikely that we will hit the housing targets," he said. "And if you don't keep building these houses the prices just keep going up relative to people's incomes."
CoSERG Comment
The decline in house building as a result of the credit crunch certainly poses a number of questions. How does society provide affordable housing for people with a housing need? Is reliance on the current developer led approach feasible?
What the current state of play indicates is that you cannot depend on developers to provide affordable housing. Developers depend on the non-affordable end of the ‘market’. If that declines then affordable housing will be cut back. Those in housing need are also dropping out of the market due to the credit crunch. The assertions that local authorities are holding back house building and that simply building more houses will keep prices down oddly enough don’t seem to apply in Cornwall. New developments continue to get permission, more and planned and house prices are still unaffordable. Simple nostrums from Government quangos are of little use to anyone and in the Cornish context unwise.
For more.... http://news.bbc.co.uk
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Fears For Future Of Historic Harbour,
West Briton, 5 June 2008
A conservative parliamentary candidate has voiced his concern that proposals to better protect Britain's most historical landmarks could be too late to shield a Cornish harbour from "unsuitable" redevelopment. John Woodward, candidate for the new Camborne, Redruth and Hayle constituency, fears proposed changes to planning regulations to safeguard all 17 English World Heritage sites - including the Cornwall and West Devon mining landscape - could come into force after plans to redevelop Hayle harbour have been submitted. The changes, which are now out for consultation, would prevent development occurring without specific planning permission. Despite welcoming the proposals, Mr Woodward said he was anxious for the measures to come into force before a proposed scheme is approved for the harbour development. If that was achieved, he said, the new planning process would almost certainly require an automatic 'call-in' and place English Heritage in the key role of deciding the suitability of the plans. "Hayle has been waiting years for a suitable scheme for the town's harbour area. "Having listened to the views of residents, I share their main concerns which include density, traffic and the idea of multi-storey housing blocks on a Cornish quayside. To my mind, the development company has yet to justify how their proposals will complement the town or the World Heritage Site.
CoSERG Comment
It is clear that there are substantial objections to ING Real Estates proposals for Hayle. There is a need for a comprehensive plan for the harbour area which ensures the future viability of the harbour itself and creates a better environment for the people of Hayle. The current proposals require careful assessment and to this end CoSERG will shortly release a Briefing Paper.
For more.... West Briton
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Bid For 100 Homes Blocked By Roundabout Traffic Fear,
West Briton, 5 June 2008
The building of more than 100 affordable homes in Blackwater has been controversially blocked over fears that more cars will jam Chiverton Cross roundabout. The Highways Agency (HA) launched the broadside after the regional assembly refused its plans for a dual carriageway along the bottleneck stretch of the A30 to Carland Cross. Truro MP Matthew Taylor told the West Briton: "I'm furious - the post office and school are all at risk from the lack of affordable housing which is needed by the whole community. "The county council long ago lost its powers to veto things like this, yet the Highways Agency can still do it on grounds which are very dubious and which would put the future of Blackwater at risk." He said he would write to the Government Roads Minister demanding action on both the affordable homes and the A30.
However, during planning consultation the Highways Agency blocked permission on the grounds the roundabout could not cope with the increase in traffic congestion, particularly in summer. This was after it made controversial lane changes two years ago. County councillor Richard Cooper said: "The Highways Agency should not be dictating to people and interfering with local issues for local people. "They have created the problem themselves by not listening to local people and squeezing all traffic from St Agnes and Blackwater onto one outlet on the roundabout." A spokesperson for the HA said it was now looking at how it could make short-term improvements to the roundabout.
In April the leaders of Cornwall County Council's four main political groups (Liberal Democrat, Independents, Conservatives and Labour) jointly wrote to the Prime Minister urging for the dualling of the A30 to Carland Cross immediately. Of the 103-mile A30 between Exeter and Penzance, 77 miles is now dual carriageway. But the 8.7 miles from Chiverton Cross to Carland Cross is one of the few remaining single carriageway stretches that has slightly more accidents than the national average. An average of 18,000 vehicles a day passed through the stretch in 2006 and 19,000 in 2007. This dramatically increased during peak holiday times.
CoSERG Comment
This news item raises a number of interesting issues. It does seem odd that building affordable houses will have an excessive impact on traffic yet many other developments are planned between Truro and Redruth which have far more impact in terms of traffic generation. With regard to the dualling of another stretch of the A30, what is missed as usual with calls for new and/or wider roads is that we need to address the problem of excessive car traffic not accommodate and encourage it. Neither short-term tinkering with junctions and lanes or longer-tem road expansion is the answer. Policy and funding should be aimed at reducing the volume of traffic, including providing an effective public transport system and discouraging excessive car travel.
Why do policy makers continue to pursue outdated transport policies, particularly in the light of recent increases in fuel prices? Why does the tourist sector ignore the potential impact of rising fuel prices on visitors? If it wishes to see tourism continue, it should be pressing for a much-reduced dependence on car use by tourists.
For more.... West Briton
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Hopes Of Heritage Centre Are Rekindled,
West Briton, 5 June 2008
Hopes of redeveloping the historic Fair Meadow car park for the benefit of the people of Redruth have been revived this week with the news that a private developer's interest in the site is waning. Despite winning a long planning battle to build old people's flats on the site, McCarthy and Stone appears to have decided not to go ahead with the project. In March the company closed the car park to shoppers and began preliminary groundwork in preparation for the start of construction. But now The West Briton can exclusively reveal that the company has moved out and is in negotiations with a view to selling it. A company spokesman said: "We are reviewing our options on the car park and a small number of interested parties have expressed an interest in possibly purchasing the site, but it has gone no further than that. “We have not decided not to develop it but in the light of the current housing market we are looking at all of our options."
The news has been greeted with delight by community leaders in Redruth whose dream has for long been for the car park to become the site of an environment and heritage centre. The multi million pound project would create 150 jobs and provide a much needed economic boost.
CoSERG Comment
There are several issues which arise from this news item. First, the Fair Meadow car park site is a valuable town centre site, which if developed properly could play a significant role in the renewal of the town centre. Building flats on the site is not an optimum use of resources. Second, it illustrates over-dependence on private sector developers in determining what happens in the local economy. Third, it undermines the Governments fixation with using housing as a ‘driver’ of the economy. As soon as the housing market moves downwards, as is now the case, the private sector will pull back.
For more.... West Briton
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Rain and delays set for weekend,
BBC, Friday, 23 May 2008
Meanwhile the RAC predicted 18m cars would take to the roads and suggested drivers allow 50% more time for journeys. And those drivers will pay on average £14 more to fill up their tanks, compared with this time last year, according to the AA.
CoSERG Comment
This news report illustrates two major dilemmas facing society in the 21st century, the continued issue of congestion and increasing petrol prices. Both illustrate a failure by society to address the issue of over dependence on car use. Congestion is an inevitable consequence of the dramatic rise in cars and the use of cars. A range of policies has contributed to this process – lack of investment in alternative transport; planning policies, which support proposals that generate traffic; lifestyle changes that accommodate and encourage car use. Yet the over-dependence on cars that has arisen is now under threat. Increased demand for oil from China and India, concern over future supplies of oil, limitations on current output and political instability have led to dramatic increases in oil prices. This raises some fundamental questions. Should policy continue to support car-dependency, despite the threats to this approach or should policy now switch to reduce car dependency?
What is certain is that continuing price rises will pose particular problems for those on low incomes. Switching to alternative transport options will not be easy due to the lack of investment in public transport combined with policies, which encourage rather than discourage car use. If even 50% of the funds, which had been spent on expanding the road system in Cornwall, had been diverted to improving public transport, not only would the population face fewer pressures on travel costs but also Cornwall would be a more sustainable society.
For news source.... BBC News
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'Indecent Proposal' To Carry On Tipping,
West Briton, 22 May 2008
SITA Cornwall is dangling a £1 million carrot in front of people living around United Mines landfill site in an effort to persuade them to accept up to a further two years of dumping. When planning permission was granted for the last extension of the site it was promised that the tip would close in 2010, bringing to an end a 30-year nightmare for the villages. But SITA Cornwall, which manages the site, has calculated that by the proposed closure date there will still be a 400,000 cubic metre void to fill, equivalent to up to two years' tipping. It is approaching the neighbouring parish councils to see if they will agree to an extension and is offering a £1,000,000 sweetener for community improvements.
Independent councillor Mark Kaczmarek, who represents the mining villages, is calling for SITA and county council officials to hold a series of public meetings. He said, "My view is that enough is enough, but I strongly believe that this should be a community decision. I'm sure that this will be a lively debate and a debate in which the communities will clearly tell SITA and Cornwall County Council just where they can go and what they can do with this 'indecent proposal'."
CoSERG Comment
It is understandable that residents around United Downs should feel aggrieved, yet the fundamental problem is that we all as residents need to reduce the amount of waste we produce. At the same time industry and Government have a fundamental role to play. The Governments inability to impose charges on plastic bags, though bags account for a small proportion of total waste, indicates a refusal to address one small yet symbolic element of the waste issue. Industry also needs to work seriously to reduce the amount of packaging produced. Cornwall needs to dramatically reduce the amount of waste produced and recycle more.
For news source.... www.thisiscornwall
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New Plan Goes In For Film Studio On Edge Of St Agnes,
West Briton, 15 May 2008
The long-running battle over the building of a film studio on the outskirts of St Agnes has resurfaced with a fresh application just weeks before a public hearing on the last rejected bid. The proposed development off Penwinnick Road, known as Ocean Park and Blue Wave Studios, would still have four main office buildings and three film studios. Under the new application, St Agnes Properties' plans to cut the surrounding 36 live/work units - homes with offices - down to 32. The 14 of these controversially planned for the gravel lot at the north of the 10-acre site would be reduced to four and some will be relocated. The number of affordable homes would be reduced from eight to six and the plans also include more screening and some design changes.
Despite planners' recommendation for approval, in January the district council's planning committee rejected the last £3.8m scheme on the grounds it would overdevelop the plot. St Agnes Properties appealed and a government planning inspector is to hold a public hearing on June 25, although a venue is yet to be confirmed.
CoSERG Comment
There are two separate issues here - 1) the film studios, 2) the dwellings. In relation to 2), six dwellings out of 32 represents only represents 20% affordable housing, which is not a high level. Is the proposal designed to create jobs or unaffordable housing?
For news source.... www.thisiscornwall
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We Got It Wrong (Again!) Let's Get It Right, Town Is Urged,
West Briton, 15 May 2008
People in Hayle have been urged to play their part in the upcoming harbour development consultation process amid concerns that thousands of extra homes could lead to traffic chaos.
Members of the residents' association packed out the town's Foundry Bar on Monday with ING Real Estate's outline proposals due to go on public display at John Harvey House today. Gasps were heard when Councillor John Bennett revealed a predicted peak-time queue of 574 cars at Foundry Square roundabout contained within the 800-page traffic impact study. Cllr Bennett urged people to look at the outline plans saying: "We have all got a lot of reading to do and we need to protect now against any future development within these plans - I don't want to see a phase two in five years' time.”
Chairman Harry Blakeley, who projected a series of images showing how the £220 million proposals would transform the town, said: "We all want this to go ahead but not at any cost - this is our one chance to get things right."
CoSERG Comment
The plans by ING are indeed cause for concern. The proposed housing developments together with tourist related activities will not regenerate Hayle or provide the better future that the people of Hayle deserve. Relying on private developer led projects, which are more focused on creating profit than meeting community needs will not create a prosperous and sustainable town. Making Hayle bigger will not make it better.
For news source.... www.thisiscornwall
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Application For 50 Flats,
West Briton, 15 May 2008
Two controversial planning applications are to be discussed by Falmouth town councillors on Monday night. First up will be the Blue Space Property Group's proposals to create 50 flats, five town houses and one bungalow on the site of six bungalows on the waterfront in North Parade. Following that will be a debate on plans to demolish Harrogate House in Queen Mary Road and replace it with 11 apartments as proposed by Audrey Line and Cornish Homes.
CoSERG Comment
This is one of a number of increasing examples where developers, encouraged by central Government,are developing sites at higher densities by building flats. Though this may seem ideal by Government ministers, it does of course mean less choice in terms of housing by residents seeking a home. High-density dwelling is not a panacea to meeting affordability needs, neither does it improve the quality of life of those dwelling there. The move towards higher density living is one example of how environment and quality of life are being undermined as Cornwall's population rises unsustainably.
For news source.... www.thisiscornwall
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Decision Due On Bid For Drive-In Movie Theatre,
West Briton, 15 May 2008
The man behind plans for Falmouth's first drive-in movies venue is pleading with councillors to allow him to give it a try. Pete Lochrie has applied to Carrick Council for a premises licence which would allow him to stage two drive-ins over the summer at Swanpool car park. The application is to be determined by councillors this afternoon when members will be asked to put aside a handful of complaints in favour of allowing a trial to take place.
John Benge said: "I have experienced several drive-in movies in Australia and the United States, but never have I seen such a venue in a built-up residential area. "They have always been in the country several kilometres out of town. Swanpool is simply not a suitable place for such activity."
CoSERG Comment
Drive in movies do not seem to be exactly the type of development that should be allowed. Quite simply they will generate additional traffic wherever they are located. Not particularly sustainable or good for the local community. It would run counter to the exhortations to people to walk or cycle then encourage the opposite.
For news source.... www.thisiscornwall
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Sports Car Business May Have To Fold After £235,000 Bid Fails,<