The Cornwall We Want

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In March 2020 people across the whole country experienced a massive change to their way of life. Our resident’s survey in June 2020 showed us that this had triggered an appetite for change. Although there were some very negative side effects of the pandemic, the more positive changes made people realise that life could be different and only 1 in ten people wanted every thing to go back to the way it was before the pandemic.

So we launched “The Cornwall We Want” campaign on 26 June 2020, to hear more from residents about the changes they want for future generations.

We heard from a wide range of people, all across Cornwall. Over 25,000 people visited this online platform to take part in the conversation about the Cornwall we want. Over 900 people have taken part in discussions, round tables and focus groups. Our 3 livestreamed discussions have been watched back over 16,000 times.

You can read more about the ways people could have their say and what we heard from them in this report.

The feedback we heard from residents has been used to shape the vision set out in ‘Gyllyn Warbarth, Together we can: The Cornwall Plan’.

In March 2020 people across the whole country experienced a massive change to their way of life. Our resident’s survey in June 2020 showed us that this had triggered an appetite for change. Although there were some very negative side effects of the pandemic, the more positive changes made people realise that life could be different and only 1 in ten people wanted every thing to go back to the way it was before the pandemic.

So we launched “The Cornwall We Want” campaign on 26 June 2020, to hear more from residents about the changes they want for future generations.

We heard from a wide range of people, all across Cornwall. Over 25,000 people visited this online platform to take part in the conversation about the Cornwall we want. Over 900 people have taken part in discussions, round tables and focus groups. Our 3 livestreamed discussions have been watched back over 16,000 times.

You can read more about the ways people could have their say and what we heard from them in this report.

The feedback we heard from residents has been used to shape the vision set out in ‘Gyllyn Warbarth, Together we can: The Cornwall Plan’.

What are your hopes and fears for the future?


What has your experience of the lockdown been? Has the lockdown made you think again about what matters in your life? What changes do you want to make? What do you want the ‘new normal’ to look like for you, your business or your community? What do you see as the challenges and opportunities to achieving those aims?

You can upload photos, videos and insert links to add to your story.


Thank you for sharing your story with us.

CLOSED: This discussion has concluded.
  • Share Power closer to the people of Cornwall on Facebook Share Power closer to the people of Cornwall on Twitter Share Power closer to the people of Cornwall on Linkedin Email Power closer to the people of Cornwall link

    Power closer to the people of Cornwall

    by PeranT, almost 4 years ago

    The government is too far away to care about Cornwall and no matter the political party, the voices of our six MPs are lost. We need more accountable and democratic power right here in Cornwall and when we want to change something, we have a direct say.

    Yes, sadly the tourists are arriving and our lives will go on hold for many weeks. We weren't able to get out of our gateway today because cars were parked across it ignoring the signs and requests. Apart from the holiday homes, no one else here depends on this trade. Their voices seem... Continue reading

  • Share Needing to be more neighbourly on Facebook Share Needing to be more neighbourly on Twitter Share Needing to be more neighbourly on Linkedin Email Needing to be more neighbourly link

    Needing to be more neighbourly

    by Dai Whiskers, almost 4 years ago

    Much has been said about the many people who, when all this started offered to be a voluntary carer in some way. But why? If we all cared in the first place then there should be little extra to do except organise. There are some great examples of communities setting up care cover for their various neighbours. Fantastic. But again, why were we not at that level of caring in the first place ? How come so many folk living in hamlet, villages and towns feel so isolated and lonely. Even when they have people living next door to them... Continue reading

  • Share Time to reset on Facebook Share Time to reset on Twitter Share Time to reset on Linkedin Email Time to reset link

    Time to reset

    by North Gardener, almost 4 years ago

    We know that the climate crisis threatens us all - not just short term like the Covid19 pandemic, but for ever, everywhere, with no vaccine. During lockdown I've loved the quiet and the clean air, being able to walk without the fumes and the dangers of cars; I've loved seeing families out walking daily together; hearing how many people have learned that we don't have to acquire stuff to be happy, and that keeping up with the Jones's is a mug's game.


    I'd like to see Cornwall become a beacon for a different way of living; after all, that's pretty... Continue reading

  • Share The narrative has to change. on Facebook Share The narrative has to change. on Twitter Share The narrative has to change. on Linkedin Email The narrative has to change. link

    The narrative has to change.

    by mickey, almost 4 years ago

    We need to change the narrative around Cornwall. The belief seems to be, both within Cornwall, and outside, that Cornwall would be a basket case without tourism, that there is nothing here without tourism, and that we should be grateful for the money that tourists, and second home owners apparently bring to the county.

    The reality is that for the roughly 20% of jobs in the tourist industry that may be true, but the other 80% seem to be largely forgotten and the potential opportunities for young people either forgotten or stifled by the impacts of tourism - high housing... Continue reading

  • Share A cornwall for my children on Facebook Share A cornwall for my children on Twitter Share A cornwall for my children on Linkedin Email A cornwall for my children link

    A cornwall for my children

    by Annem, almost 4 years ago

    Lockdown for us has seen all my kids being homeschooled which has been very challenging especially not having a working computer everything was online and impossible to do via mobile phones, has since been addressed and iPads have been given to the kids via the school to help the children learn at home.
    My partner has been working 70+hrs a week as a Covid security guard helping the many homesless from our streets and those dumped down here from upcountry during lockdown which I think could of been handled a lot better many of these have now been moved on... Continue reading

  • Share More balance needed on Facebook Share More balance needed on Twitter Share More balance needed on Linkedin Email More balance needed link

    More balance needed

    by Sue Truro, almost 4 years ago

    I feel it is a terrible shame that Cornwall has gone so far down the road of reliance on tourism that it now has to put its own people at risk to be able to earn a living. Cornwall is a very beautiful place, we are all lucky to live here all year round, and we should be able to share it with others in moderation, without basically prostituting the county.

    We already had our own form of annual lockdown for six weeks of the year, where our roads were gridlocked and our towns and beaches, depending on the weather... Continue reading

  • Share A Cornwall is needed for its residents on Facebook Share A Cornwall is needed for its residents on Twitter Share A Cornwall is needed for its residents on Linkedin Email A Cornwall is needed for its residents link

    A Cornwall is needed for its residents

    by Roger, almost 4 years ago

    A dramatic improvement of the environment is needed and in living conditions and quality of life for us.

    This can be achieved by:

    *a reduction in the dependence on tourism which is causing environmental damage and pollution as well as a massive inconvenience to us all in our daily lives

    *careful regulation of second holiday homes which are devastating our communities

    *better planning which seems out of control in Cornwall with a free for all in building everywhere and with some fairly horrible estates and houses being thrown up wherever developers can get away with it, which is mostly anywhere

  • Share Small properties suitable as permanent homes on Facebook Share Small properties suitable as permanent homes on Twitter Share Small properties suitable as permanent homes on Linkedin Email Small properties suitable as permanent homes link

    Small properties suitable as permanent homes

    by A.M., almost 4 years ago

    We complain about all the tourists and all the second homes, but we only have ourselves to blame.

    We are constantly turning houses and flats into holiday homes rather than allowing them to come onto the market as permanent dwellings. We urgently need to increase the stock of smaller characterful housing that is suitable for households of one or two people to live in on a permanent basis. That means living and storage space rather than lots of bedrooms and ensuites.

    Please oblige council and home owners!

  • Share Protect our county, beaches & water. on Facebook Share Protect our county, beaches & water. on Twitter Share Protect our county, beaches & water. on Linkedin Email Protect our county, beaches & water. link

    Protect our county, beaches & water.

    by J_J_G, almost 4 years ago

    I am so pleased to read many extracts of other Cornwall residents, which echo my own priorities, hopes & wishes for our future. For too long I have felt negative changes were out of our hands and no one was listening. Not only do I feel Cornwall's MPS do not represent the needs of Cornish communities, I simply feel they do not care. I believe our healthcare suffers immensely and any positive resources, including talent from younger generations, are lost because there is no incentive for them to stay. I feel housing and the environment become exploited at the hands... Continue reading

  • Share Let’s be more welcoming on Facebook Share Let’s be more welcoming on Twitter Share Let’s be more welcoming on Linkedin Email Let’s be more welcoming link

    Let’s be more welcoming

    by You’re welcome, almost 4 years ago

    Too many posts and messages on local and Cornwall wide social media were negative or just nasty. There were posts targeting those from other countries; posts criticising the cars visitors drive, or the fact they create queues in local shops or, conversely they don’t shop locally; suggestions that anyone without the right postcode should be denied medical treatment; some wanted to put posters on all holiday and second homes telling occupants to go home. Nearby a car was vandalised whilst parked legally on the roadside

    Regular visitors will have read those posts and not only feel they aren’t welcome now... Continue reading

Page last updated: 24 Jun 2021, 10:39 AM