The Campaign for Affordable Homes Cornwall call for….
- Affordable housing to be truly affordable (taking into account real average incomes in the county)
- A cap on the number of second homes in the county – implemented through the introduction of Change of Use planning permission for second homes. Planning permission would have to be applied for before a full time family home could become a second home.
- Removal of the council tax discount for second homes so that second home owners pay full council tax
- Permanently ring-fenced funds from second homes council tax to be allocated to affordable housing initiatives (including the additional 10% obtained by removing the discount
- A change in planning policy in favour of agricultural building conversion to affordable permanent homes rather than short term holiday lets
- The balance to be addressed between developers and District Council’s (using planning policy) with a presumption in favour of affordable housing in rural areas.
- 50% affordable housing allocation on every new development in Cornwall (or financial recompense)
- Adoption of a county wide empty homes strategy
- A variety of affordable housing to be made available across the county – reflecting local need and demand
- Housing needs surveys to be conducted at Parish level in every Parish every 5 years and for this information to feed up to Districts and inform planning
- An agreed approach to defining ‘local needs’ to ensure that those who live and work in a parish are the first to get homes. Perhaps a standard definition at District level and a more flexible approach at Parish level?
- A county wide appeal for land for affordable housing in perpetuity (carried out at Parish level)
- Affordable housing to be of the same standard and appearance as open market housing
- Affordable homes to be built to high design and energy efficiency standards
- A comprehensive evaluation and assessment of Cornish wage levels (leading to action!)
