The Labour Party in Truro and Falmouth hit out today at local housing plans drawn up by the Liberal Democrat led Carrick District Council. 

The Regional Spatial Strategy for the South West recommends local authorities specify up to two out of three new homes or more are affordable in areas of greatest housing need. Despite being identified as an area for growth, local development plans only make a commitment to one in three new homes being affordable.

Speaking on behalf of Truro and Falmouth Labour Party, local campaigner Charlotte MacKenzie said: “We welcome the fact that Truro has been identified as a growth point. But we are very concerned that this will not tackle shortages of affordable housing in Falmouth. In 2006/7, 20 new affordable homes to rent were completed in Truro, and none at all in Falmouth.”

“Carrick District Council covers an area of very great need for housing that local families can afford. We are concerned that Carrick District Council is not planning realistically to meet the need for affordable homes in Falmouth and Truro. At the Lib Dems’ pace, it would take 20 years to house the current housing register for the Carrick District Council area. They need to do more.”

Truro and Falmouth Labour Party has made a written submission about local housing needs to the RSS examination in public, which will take place shortly.