Charlotte MacKenzie’s letter to West Briton:

I welcome the fact that there will now be a rethink of Carrick’s development plans.

For everyone who has looked at the plans, taken part in consultations, or attended the examination in public of the Council’s ‘core strategy’ for development, the Inspector’s finding that Carrick District Council paid insufficient attention to the views expressed through consultation will come as no surprise.

I was one of those who spoke at the hearing in June last year to voice concerns about the environment and housing.

I welcome the fact that tackling climate change will now be given fuller consideration in plans for future development. I hope that the fact that Truro City Council recently accepted a proposal from Cllr Lindsay Southcombe and myself to promote green energy will prompt discussion in 2008 of solutions which will work best for Truro’s community, and step up local commitment to carbon neutral homes.

We also need widespread discussion of how best to provide housing to meet local needs. The Inspector rejected the plans partly because it was unclear that they would deliver housing which is needed, including in Falmouth and Penryn. I will continue to call for two out of three, rather than one in three, new homes to be affordable.

At least now we can expect that, as detailed plans are developed, our Councils will take account of views expressed by local people.