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 Returning emmigrant or emmet? on Facebook Share Returning emmigrant or emmet? on Twitter Share Returning emmigrant or emmet? on Linkedin Email Returning emmigrant or emmet? link

    Returning emmigrant or emmet?

    by Christopher Peachey, almost 4 years ago

    My family left Cornwall in 1891 but all generations have continued to return for regular visits/holidays; two of us currently own additional houses in the county ( paying full Council Tax). For ten years I had a part time job in Cornwall and pre-Covid spent 25% of my time in Cornwall, having many friends locally.

    I can get fed up with swamping tourists in both Cornwall and Gloucestershire! But, now retired, would like to continue to live part time in Cornwall whilst still working in the Cotswolds.

  • Share A new economy? on Facebook Share A new economy? on Twitter Share A new economy? on Linkedin Email A new economy? link

    A new economy?

    by Maria, almost 4 years ago

    I would like Cornwall to be less reliant on tourism. Each year our population triples from half a million to one and a half million! and this puts pressure on our roads, health services, water supply, environment, police forces and supermarkets. I feel that the tourist industry has grown out of control. We need a new economy which is more self sufficient and sustainable. I think that tourism has a place and people have the right to visit other places in the world. But too much tourism can be damaging to the environment and it's local resources. It can also... Continue reading

  • Share Lockdown has given a time to pause and consider what is important on Facebook Share Lockdown has given a time to pause and consider what is important on Twitter Share Lockdown has given a time to pause and consider what is important on Linkedin Email Lockdown has given a time to pause and consider what is important link

    Lockdown has given a time to pause and consider what is important

    by eag, almost 4 years ago

    Time to reflect and really consider the Cornwall I would like to see. Does anyone else feel uncomfortable regarding 2nd home owners who have pushed the housing prices up leaving local young people unable to afford housing in their birth county? The question of council and business tax avoidance is outrageous when locals are subsiding the use of facilities by paying a very high council tax, mine is a third of the state pension I receive. Second home owners have made ghost towns of some of our local areas and this is not a situation to be proud of. We... Continue reading

  • Share Lockdown has been a kind of strange paradise on Facebook Share Lockdown has been a kind of strange paradise on Twitter Share Lockdown has been a kind of strange paradise on Linkedin Email Lockdown has been a kind of strange paradise link

    Lockdown has been a kind of strange paradise

    by Padstow resident, almost 4 years ago

    We have had an opportunity in Covid lockdown to enjoy our beautiful surroundings in peace and solitude in a way that has never been possible during the years we have been here. It has made us feel enormously grateful for our privilege in living here, and more acutely aware of the importance of holding on to the positive aspects of these past few months.

    We must try and keep a balance so that visitor numbers are kept to a level which allows us all to walk on the coastal path and find space and enjoy the majesty of the scenery... Continue reading

  • Share A Cornish Haiku on Facebook Share A Cornish Haiku on Twitter Share A Cornish Haiku on Linkedin Email A Cornish Haiku link

    A Cornish Haiku

    by Miguel, almost 4 years ago

    Oh Kernow my home.

    Wild sea and fallow field bee.

    A commons future?

  • Share Stop letting home grown talent disappear "up country"! on Facebook Share Stop letting home grown talent disappear "up country"! on Twitter Share Stop letting home grown talent disappear "up country"! on Linkedin Email Stop letting home grown talent disappear "up country"! link

    Stop letting home grown talent disappear "up country"!

    by montydongirl, almost 4 years ago

    Being a Cornish school leaver some twenty years ago there was little opportunity for good local (not tourism based) jobs, now there are even fewer. The district council hubs have disappeared as well as smaller NHS hubs, they have all moved to the bigger towns in Cornwall. Living in North Cornwall there is virtually nothing here for youngsters to aspire to, to hope that they can remain in their local communities. They are effectively forced to leave the county, all of their friends and other social relationships just so that they can get jobs. Those that stay in the local... Continue reading

  • Share Race to zero carbon now and it will be less damaging than the lockdown has been on Facebook Share Race to zero carbon now and it will be less damaging than the lockdown has been on Twitter Share Race to zero carbon now and it will be less damaging than the lockdown has been on Linkedin Email Race to zero carbon now and it will be less damaging than the lockdown has been link

    Race to zero carbon now and it will be less damaging than the lockdown has been

    by TruthBard, almost 4 years ago

    I live on the edge of the County and often feel, being so far from Truro, that my town is overlooked for a lot of things. I am less bothered by tourists but more bothered by my community being cut in half by one of the most dangerous and busy roads in the UK, the noise and air pollution, and the endless policies that take us further away from our need to address the climate and ecological emergency. For example, why do we need to have a 'gateway development' incorporating a burger chain drive-through and also a coffee chain drive... Continue reading

  • Share More amenities for Torpoint on Facebook Share More amenities for Torpoint on Twitter Share More amenities for Torpoint on Linkedin Email More amenities for Torpoint link

    More amenities for Torpoint

    by JannyG, almost 4 years ago

    Living in Torpoint for 40 odd years now and have seen no new developments. I see Saltash expanding its shopping areas with Lidl. The food warehouse etc. Got its own swimming pool. And recycling centre. Torpoint is being left behind. We need our own shopping estate and recycling centre. Sports amenities that people can afford. We travel miles to go to saltash for recycling household items and shopping etc. If we had our own, then it would cut down on traffic, carbon emissions, wear and tear on the roads and vehicles, it would create jobs that people won’t need to... Continue reading

  • Share A place to retire on Facebook Share A place to retire on Twitter Share A place to retire on Linkedin Email A place to retire link

    A place to retire

    by Mike, almost 4 years ago

    After spending 40 years travelling to Cornwall many times a year, retirement looms so we purchased a home in Carbis Bay.

    Not worried about being a so called outsider I have now purchased a second home in Cornwall and since the lock down, we have signed as a volunteers, met some nice people in need of our services for shopping etc . Recently I traveled to Reading to pick a stair lift for a local person a round trip or 550 miles and a 19 hour day.

    Not all outsiders are money grabbers, I guess some have worked very hard... Continue reading

  • Share Decrease availability of family homes for ownership as second homes on Facebook Share Decrease availability of family homes for ownership as second homes on Twitter Share Decrease availability of family homes for ownership as second homes on Linkedin Email Decrease availability of family homes for ownership as second homes link

    Decrease availability of family homes for ownership as second homes

    by Ann, almost 4 years ago

    Cornwall needs tourists. Hotels, guest houses, bed and breakfast accommodation, holiday centres, caravans and camp sites bring holiday makers, provide work but don’t destroy communities. Houses and cottages in our towns and villages bought for temporary occupation provide limited benefits while inflating property prices making homes unaffordable for local people and destroying communities.

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