Archive for category: News

Welcome to the September Affordable Housing Newsletter
In this edition, we share updates on current housing schemes and the Rural Housing Enabling Programme, along with information on homelessness and available support. You’ll also find details of upcoming events where you can speak with an Affordable Housing Officer, contribute to the Cornwall Local Plan, and learn more about grants, policies, and other resources available to support your community.

Land West of Dobwalls Primary School
(17 Affordable Rent and 7 Shared Ownership)

Progress Update – working with Registered Providers
Carnon Downs

We’re pleased to share that the new housing development being delivered by Coastline is moving forward smoothly and is on track for completion by December 2025.

This exciting project includes 15 new homes, one of which is a specially designed three-bedroom M4(3) accessible property—tailored to meet the needs of a local family. The development is being partly funded through Cornwall Council’s Capital Funded Programme (CCFP4), helping to ensure that high-quality, affordable housing continues to be delivered where it’s needed most.

Longrock

We’re pleased to share that 12 affordable homes were completed in March and April 2025, and are now being provided by Sanctuary. These homes mark a significant step forward in meeting local housing needs.

Looking ahead, a further 34 affordable homes are expected to be delivered by early 2026 continuing the momentum of this important development.

Dobwalls

Coastline Housing have also been making excellent progress on site with a development in Dobwalls, featuring 14 new homes. Initial delays caused by overhead cables have now been resolved, keeping the project moving forward smoothly. The scheme is proudly funded through CCFP4.

In a lovely touch of community involvement, children from Dobwalls Primary School were invited to help name the new streets. Their creative suggestions — Primary Road and Gwel Deg (which means beautiful view in Cornish) — have both been approved by the street naming team.

Working in partnership to deliver rural enabling across Cornwall

Cornwall Rural Community Charity (CRCC) is an organisation dedicated to supporting and strengthening Cornwall’s Communities to improve quality of life.

Over the coming year CRCC, in partnership with Cornwall Council’s affordable housing team, are delivering the Rural Housing Enabler Programme for Cornwall which is funded through DEFRA and delivered through the Action with Communities in Rural England (ACRE) network. You can read more here: Rural Housing — Cornwall Rural Community Charity

Cornwall Rural Community Charity Roadshows

Throughout September and October, CRCC is hosting a series of Community Roadshow events across Cornwall — and you’re invited! These events offer a fantastic opportunity for local residents to connect with a wide range of organisations and services that support rural communities. At each event, there will be someone available to talk specifically about Affordable Housing in your area, so come along, ask questions, and find out what support is available for your community.

Community Enabling Roadshow dates (all events 11am-2pm):

East Cornwall –25th September Lostwithiel Community Centre

Mid Cornwall – 30th September Stithians Centre

North Cornwall – 2nd October Jacobstow Parish Hall

West Cornwall – 7th October St Just Old Town Hall

Please see link below and attached poster for further information https://cornwallrcc.org.uk/consultation-community-roadshows

Organisations attending the events:

Affordable Housing Team – all events
Cornwall Carers Service – all events
Learn Your Way – all events
Inclusion Matters – all events
Filo project (Dementia Care) – all events
Better Housing Better Health (National Energy Foundation) – Lostwithiel, Stithians, Jacobstow
Volunteer Cornwall – Jacobstow, St Just
Rural Affairs Officer (Devon and Cornwall Police) Lostwithiel, St Just
BT – Jacobstow, St Just
Cornwall Community Foundation – Stithians, Jacobstow
Penhaligans Friends – St Just

Homelessness

Did you know that any one of us could be just a few steps away from homelessness? It might seem unimaginable, but for some people in Cornwall, this becomes a harsh reality every year. The reasons are often complex and deeply personal. Some of the most common causes include the end of a private tenancy, being unable to stay with family or friends, domestic abuse, relationship breakdowns, and eviction from supported housing. These challenges can affect anyone — and they highlight just how vital safe, secure, and affordable housing is for all of us.

If you know of people that are Homeless or at risk of becoming homes the Council’s website has some useful information and links to support. In addition our webpage I could lose my home provides helpful information about housing options and routes to help.

Nos Da Kernow provides outreach support to people that are in housing difficulties (but who can stay where they are living for the next 56 days). They are a great team who can provide practical help and support to prevent people from becoming homeless in your community. Further information can be found via the following link Nos Da Kernow .
What to do if you know about someone rough sleeping?

Alert Cornwall Council and outreach services by making a referral to street link via https://thestreetlink.org.uk/ or using the following QR code

Or support or advise the rough sleeper to present as homeless by phoning 0300 1234 161. Further information and links to our partners and support available can be accessed via the following link Street homeless or rough sleeping?

Useful links:

• Do you need a helping hand?
• ONS Cornwall Housing Prices
• Homechoice Housing Register
• Refugee Resettlement
• Homelessness and rough sleeping strategy

Brigantine Co-housing scheme, Penryn
(14 homes)

Did you know…

22688 households are currently registered on Cornwall’s Social and Affordable Housing Register (snapshot 11.09.25).

Affordable housing approvals

In 2025/2026 (April- June) Q1 the planning service has granted full planning permission and reserved matters 146 affordable homes.

These planning applications were submitted through a combination of Registered Providers, the Private Sector and Cornwall Council.

The graph below compares the amount of full permissions over the past 2 years and the first quarter of the current year.

There were a further 241 Affordable Homes approved that were part of Outline Applications or Permissions in Principle.

The Home Ownership Team

The Affordable Home Ownership Team continues their efforts to support more residents in accessing affordable routes to home ownership.

There continues to be a strong demand for Section 106 Discounted Market Sale properties with 50 of these properties coming onto the market between 7th July and 1st September 2025, (16 resales and 34 new builds).

🔗 Find out more information about Cornwall Council’s Shared Ownership or Discount Market Sale process can be found here: Buying a home

Housing Needs Surveys

The St Just in Roseland Housing Needs Survey was Launched in early August and is due to finish its six-week survey on Sunday 21st September.

A HNS survey is conducted by a letter being sent to all households on the electoral register which provides them with a link to the online survey.
A housing needs survey can offer really useful insight into the level, type and tenure of housing need required within a Parish.
🔗 You can view a list of completed Housing needs surveys and reports developed in partnership with Parish Council’s on our website.
Funding for community-led affordable housing schemes

The Council’s Early-stage Feasibility fund has been relaunched, providing a new Bridging Fund facility for Community-led housing organisations that are looking to delivery affordable housing.

This new Bridging Fund has one key change in relation to the previous grant in that it takes a more sustainable approach to the use of funds with money being returned to the fund once the group has received planning approval and been able to raise its long-term finance.

The Council have various other grants and loans that are available to community-led housing groups to support Affordable Housing delivery.

🔗 You can find out more about these here: Community-Led Housing

You can also talk to one of the members of the team by contacting us
Early-Stage Feasibility Fund approvals
Since the previous newsletter, Early-stage Feasibility funding has been awarded to the following two organisations:
Ambos

With the help of a stage 2 ESFF grant from the Council, Ambos was successful in securing outline planning approval. The group have now received their stage 3 funding which has been awarded to support them with the production of documents and other surveys for the submission of their Reserved Matters planning application. More information regarding the group can be found via: https://www.ambos.org.uk/brigantine

Roseland CLT

The Roseland CLT is developing a 100% affordable housing scheme in St Mawes. They are working in partnership with the Parish Council, School and ASPIRE and are exploring a development on Cornwall Council owned land.

The project emerged from the St Just in Roseland Parish ‘The Way Forward’ initiative which received overwhelming local support in 2024.

The group have now held two consultation events this year about the scheme and have submitted their application for Pre-planning advice.

What’s new in Planning?

Did you know there is a Planning News update newsletter which can be accessed via the website. Planning news and that we have a web page called What’s new in planning filled with useful updates.

The Cornwall Local Plan: Planning to 2050

To understand what works now and what could be better, we need everyone to have a say in what Cornwall’s future looks like. We’re collecting information and views to help us write the plan, and you can help We’re hosting events around Cornwall from Wednesday 17th September until Wednesday 28th January 2026.

Dates, venues and how to book a free ticket can be found here: tickets – Creative Kernow & Cornwall Council

Pre-application Advice

If you wish to explore the possibility of developing a site that includes affordable housing, we would strongly recommend the submission of a pre-application enquiry in order that we can provide you with advice on the likely suitability of your scheme.

We offer a range of services dependant on the scale of the development. For schemes of less than 10 dwellings, please see Pre-application advice – Cornwall Council.

For schemes of 10 dwellings or more, please see Proactive Planning Advice for Major Development Proposals – Cornwall Council

Helpful links
Affordable housing Community-Led Housing
Planning Policy Guidance
Contact us
General Affordable Housing enquiries
Email: affordablehousing@cornwall.gov.uk
Tel: 01872 322222
Affordable Home ownership Team
(discounted market sale queries)
Email: affordablehomeownership@cornwall.gov.uk
Tel: 01872 326353 (option 1)
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If you’re going to a healthcare appointment for non-emergency tests or treatment, you’ll normally be expected to make your own way there using your own transport or the range of public, community and voluntary transport available locally.

There are local patient transport schemes that could help you and you may be eligible for NHS funded transport.

Cornwall Council provides information on some volunteer transport schemes (including accessible vehicles) call TAP Cornwall 01872 223388 or visit Community Transport – Cornwall Council.

You can also find more information through Age UK Cornwall & The Isles of Scilly | Community Transport Services and Volunteer Cornwall by calling 01872 265300 or visiting at Book transport – Volunteer Cornwall

NHS-funded patient transport is available for eligible patients meeting the clinical and financial criteria for support or assistance on or after the journey. Advice is available through the centralised booking service (01872 252211) and online

There’s more information, including patient guides and details of who is eligible for NHS funded transport at Patient transport – NHS Cornwall and Isles of Scilly You can also call the NHS helpline on 0300 330 1343

 

https://cios.icb.nhs.uk/2025/06/05/need-help-getting-to-your-appointment/

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1LitPFpnzg/?mibextid=wwXIfr

 

Community Speed Watch (CSW)

 

Looe and its surrounding area have a Community Speed Watch team who are actively seeking new members to join them.  Their sole intention is to try and make local roads a safer place for all to use.

The team founded to encourage as many drivers as possible to be more speed aware when driving through Looe and some of its surrounding villages.

They operate from police authorised monitoring sites which are chosen so they are clearly visible to approaching motorists and are placed well within a speed limited area. When motorists see the team, they should already be aware of the road’s speed limit and will have had plenty of time to adjust their speed accordingly.

CSW volunteers monitor the speeds of all passing drivers but only record those travelling at 10% +2 above the speed limit and report them to the police. The police write an advisory letter to the registered keeper, which explains the dangers of travelling at excess speed and reminds drivers to reduce the speed at which they travel.

 

Community Speed Watch volunteers do not fine or prosecute drivers and fully support this alternative advisory action being taken.

 

They are also very thankful to the many drivers who they witness who do pass by, driving safely and within the speed limit.

Unfortunately, there are occasions when the Community Speed Watch activity does not have the desired impact of educating motorists to drive within the speed limit so the police will support local teams in delivering this message by conducting some enforcement action in the area as well.

 

The Looe Community Speed Watch team would really like to welcome new members.  If you are interested in joining them or wish to find out more about the scheme please scan the QR code below, or email speedwatch@dc.police.uk with your name and contact number.

 

 

Dear All

I would like to draw your attention If possible to events taking place in April as part of the ‘We are of this place’ festival. As some of you may be aware ‘We Are of This Place’ is a month-long celebration of people, history and landscape, based around the communities of the East and West Looe Valleys.

Please find attached the poster for one of the events which I hope you can share amongst your parishioners. Blossom Liskeard is a community based, floral themed art and craft exhibition/sale where any budding artist or creator can exhibit their art absolutely free with a chance of winning a lovely prize too. This a family event with a kids craft table to keep the little ones amused.  People wishing to sell their crafts can hire a table to do so.

Many more events can be found on the following link We Are of This Place – Visit Liskeard

We hope to involve as many people as possible from the parishes around the Looe Valleys and therefore we would be really grateful if you could share this locally via newsletters etc . We welcome contact from anyone wishing to take part as either an exhibitor or a stall holder – email contact on the attached poster

Many thanks

A38 Saltash Tunnel – scheme update

 

We’re carrying out a major £25million technology upgrade of the A38 Saltash Tunnel. The works will help keep journeys safe, reliable and reduce the risk of unplanned closures.

 

Since January, the tunnel has been closed overnight to eastbound traffic, to enable works to take place.

 

Works have been progressing well with excavations for new gantries well underway on the tunnel approaches. We will then be moving on to the piling works and construction of the signs’ foundations through the spring.

 

Start of overnight full tunnel closures

 

Starting on Monday 10 March, the overnight tunnel closures will extend to include both eastbound and westbound traffic.

 

The closures will take place Monday to Friday (8pm to 6am). The tunnel will be open as normal during the day and at weekends.

 

We apologise for the short notice regarding this.

 

By closing the tunnel at night, our teams are able to work safely in and around the tunnel and we can reduce the impact on the local community and drivers.

 

During the closures, well signed diversions will be in place via the standard B3271 and North Road routes.

 

The overnight tunnel closures will continue until Winter 2025 / 2026.

 

Occasionally, our works may generate some noise for which we apologise.

 

Please plan ahead and allow extra time for your journeys.

 

Start of phase two – tidal flow switch off

 

The current tunnel control system is approaching the end of its life so it’s time for us to replace and upgrade the system to keep everyone using the tunnel safe. The second phase of our works involves the changeover of the tidal flow technology systems and the installation and connection of the new gantries and signage.

 

We’ve listened carefully to all feedback received. As a result, the second phase of work which will involve switching off the tidal flow lanes, will now start in early Autumn. This will avoid the peak school holiday season and minimise the impact on local communities and businesses.

 

Please note that as with any complex scheme, dates are subject to change.

 

As we move through the scheme, dates will be announced and kept up to date on our dedicated webpage. Please check online for the latest information. You can also sign up via the webpage to receive notifications when new information has been added. In addition, you can also check our daily closures page or find live travel information on our Traffic England website.

 

We apologise in advance for any inconvenience caused but thank you for your continued understanding.

 

Help us to spread the word

 

Please help us by sharing this update. Please share this message with your connections and network, as well as on your own channels.

 

Any questions?

 

If you have any queries or comments about the work, or would like further information please contact National Highways Customer Contact Centre on 0300 123 5000 or by email: info@nationalhighways.co.uk

 

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