independent Cornish news and comment

PROTESTS AT ITINERANT SITE PLANS MISPLACED!

Recent news has emerged about plans for permanent Gipsy and Traveller sites in Penwith District, which was reported on the ‘West Briton’ website on 21st February.

“Penwith planners envision a total of 18 individual pitches with basic amenities through a permanent site in the Penzance area and a transit site in Hayle. They also say is possible that a further two sites may be needed in the Long Rock area. A number of locations have been suggested for the transit site in Hayle including land close to Water Lane and Mellanear Road.”

The proposals “have sparked a number of campaigns and protest groups. Plans to accommodate gypsies and travellers in West Cornwall have sparked controversy. Residents in Hayle have greeted the news with trepidation, and are hurriedly canvassing local opinion before the February 29 consultation period deadline.”

A CoSERG spokesperson stated “It is rather sad that people get up in arms about the provision of accommodation for a small number of people from a disadvantaged group within the community, yet are not prepared to protest about the excessive house building planned for Penwith, which will have a serious impact on the environment and community life in the area.”

It appears that the development of luxury housing for the rich and famous, which has a serious impact on house prices and hence house availability for local people hardly raises an eyebrow. Every luxury development leads to additional house price inflation in Cornwall. While developers concentrate on luxury housing, the requirements of those in housing need in Cornwall are ignored. Communities should be aware that luxury housing development has a serious environmental impact, not only in the loss of green field sites, but that the more affluent sections of society use more resources and create greater demands on the environment.

For more visit: www.cornwallcoserg.org.uk