The Cornwall We Want

What are your hopes and fears for the future?

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  Creative Cornwall

  by Mylorian, almost 6 years ago

  It seemed to me that as soon as the lock down happened people started to reach for the arts: music, reading, drawing, dancing, writing: all the things we do to entertain ourselves, keep our spirits up and sooth ourselves. Like other people I enjoyed the peace and quiet of lockdown but I found I needed to keep busy. I read, wrote and sewed, which helped me feel calmer. We need to encourage people to keep doing these creative things, for our physical and mental health. It was good to have a daily exercise hour in lockdown, it encouraged me to... Continue reading

  It seemed to me that as soon as the lock down happened people started to reach for the arts: music, reading, drawing, dancing, writing: all the things we do to entertain ourselves, keep our spirits up and sooth ourselves. Like other people I enjoyed the peace and quiet of lockdown but I found I needed to keep busy. I read, wrote and sewed, which helped me feel calmer. We need to encourage people to keep doing these creative things, for our physical and mental health. It was good to have a daily exercise hour in lockdown, it encouraged me to go out and walk. Similar encouragement to do creative things each day could be part of our future coping and resilience. At the same time, a lot of people who work in the creative industries, and who are freelance or self employed, are struggling to make ends meet. Yet they are the most creative people we have, and Cornwall is full of them. How can we use Cornwall's creative people now to help us solve the problems we face, heal, and find enjoyment?
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  Too much building of the wrong type.

  by FLT, almost 6 years ago

  My biggest fear for Cornwall is the amount of building occurring. The planning Department should be taking a hard look at the type of buildings being passed and ask themselves whether they are for the good of Cornwall and its people. Faceless estates with no infrastructure, not enough facilities, overcrowding. Building on greenfield sites, and sites of historical interest. Remember the old song, "They paved paradise and put up a parking lot".

  My biggest fear for Cornwall is the amount of building occurring. The planning Department should be taking a hard look at the type of buildings being passed and ask themselves whether they are for the good of Cornwall and its people. Faceless estates with no infrastructure, not enough facilities, overcrowding. Building on greenfield sites, and sites of historical interest. Remember the old song, "They paved paradise and put up a parking lot".
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  Invest in our young people

  by SandraandBella, almost 6 years ago

  Like most people commenting here I have enjoyed the recent peace and tranquility. I have watched in delight as nature started to heal herself in the few months she has been allowed, I have loved being able to walk and cycle in relative safety and, of course, I want this to continue. Cornwall needs to come out of this heading towards a greener and more affluent future. The question is ‘how do we achieve it?’. I believe this is a multifaceted and a very long term project.

  We need to start with our young people. Schools and guardians must teach... Continue reading

  Like most people commenting here I have enjoyed the recent peace and tranquility. I have watched in delight as nature started to heal herself in the few months she has been allowed, I have loved being able to walk and cycle in relative safety and, of course, I want this to continue. Cornwall needs to come out of this heading towards a greener and more affluent future. The question is ‘how do we achieve it?’. I believe this is a multifaceted and a very long term project.

  We need to start with our young people. Schools and guardians must teach and encourage their charges to be involved with nature and the environment so that they will want to save it. But the young people must also be trained and guided towards careers and futures in sustainable industries. In some cases they will need skills for jobs that haven’t yet been invented. Yes I know that sounds daft but nobody thought about computer programming when I was at school and who had heard of Zoom a year ago!

  So, businesses involving green technology need to be supported in the county. That is not to dismiss traditional skills and crafts. Farming and fishing are vital to the county’s food security but, perhaps they too can be looked at in a different way. What about aqua culture and growing some vegetables and fruits inside under ultra-violet lights? I believe Cornwall has one of the highest, if not the highest, percentage of micro businesses in the country and these entrepreneurs need to be supported. It takes a massif amount of courage and money to move your business from your garage or kitchen table to a workshop and to employ somebody. Perhaps they could have rent reductions or tax rebates?

  We have been conditioned by the private limited company Visit Cornwall and its CEO Mr Bell into believing that tourism is the only way forward in Cornwall but tourism accounts for only about 12% of Cornwall’s economy and I understand that about 40% of that is local spend, that is to say what you and I spend going out for coffee or a meal and visiting attractions. Admittedly tourism is a big employer but the work is often seasonal and usually poorly paid. So, let us stop thinking of ourselves as a theme park for England. No more planning permission for campsites or holiday apartments. Second homes to pay twice the community charge. Big, out of county companies stopped from buying up our villages and turning all the houses into holiday lets and destroying our communities. No more tax relief going to second home owners who use legal loop holes to make even more money. I believe it is better from a tax point of view to rent a property out for holidays rather than as a long term rental – surely this cannot be right. We are all tourists at some time but tourists should not dominate local lives. Those responsible for planning need to put our well being first and not focus on what would bring in more tourists.

  We need good, affordable housing for local people, really affordable. However, in building affordable housing we lay the market open to more out of county people to move here, so to prevent that, nobody should be able to buy houses in Cornwall unless they have lived here full time for 5 years. I do not know how many houses are needed in Cornwall but that figure should be the target and no more. Westminster may not like it but Cornwall isn’t Westminster.

  So, what can we do in the short term? Keep cycling, if possible, which means we need cycle ways into and between towns and somewhere secure to park our bicycles. Shop locally. Many of our small local shops and businesses have been life savers during this pandemic and we must not abandon them when it is over. If it has worked for you, carry on working from home. Buy local food in season, the supermarkets won’t like it but our growers and producers will benefit. Town centres can be enlivened with a coat of paint, colourful murals on dull end walls. Make towns, as far as possible, car free. Allow cafes to spill out on to the pavements. Encourage small and micro business to use the empty shops as workshops and offer rented accommodation above those shops in the high streets.

  
  

  
  

  
  

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  Population growth and greed

  by cornwallresident, almost 6 years ago

  Virtually every person I know who cares about the Duchy are aghast at the level of housing development that is being foisted upon us. And not for the benefit of local people. It seems a mission from those in charge to attract more and more people to Cornwall whether it be to holiday or to live. This cannot continue at the rate it has been over the past 10 years without seriously impacting on the quality of life of those already living here.

  Cornwall is in severe danger of 'cooking the golden goose'. When the Duchy is covered in concrete... Continue reading

  Virtually every person I know who cares about the Duchy are aghast at the level of housing development that is being foisted upon us. And not for the benefit of local people. It seems a mission from those in charge to attract more and more people to Cornwall whether it be to holiday or to live. This cannot continue at the rate it has been over the past 10 years without seriously impacting on the quality of life of those already living here.

  Cornwall is in severe danger of 'cooking the golden goose'. When the Duchy is covered in concrete, nobody will want to come here and nobody will want to live here. Those that remain will have to put up with an environment that has been ruined in the name of greed.

  Second home ownership should be severely curtailed, new housing development stopped and those involved in tourism should realise that there is a limit to how many visitors can be accommodated without severely testing the goodwill of residents and our beautiful environment. At the moment, economic growth still trumps all despite the evidence of the damage it causes all around us.

  Cornwall Council are not entirely responsible for this state of affairs but it sometimes appears they are happy to maintain the status quo for whatever reason.

  
  

  
  
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  A Green future is the only future.

  by Greenways, almost 6 years ago

  Cycleways please, and footpaths , everywhere.Connecting every community.

  Photovoltaics on all industrial and agricultural buildings but NOT on fields. Hedges,copses,woods all linked providing wildlife corridors.

  A congestion/emission charge as you enter Cornwall ( cf London). The bigger the gas guzzler the bigger the fee.

  Plastic free Cornwall.

  Pesticide free Cornwall.

  Herbiicide free Cornwall ( note that Bayer are paying $8 billion for cancer caused by glysophate).

  GM free Cornwall.

  Carbon neutral by 2030

  No cruise liners.

  No super trawlers.

  Insulate every house.get rid of gas/oil boilers.

  All new homes to be 'passive'.

  All new homes to have solar thermal panels.

  ... Continue reading

  Cycleways please, and footpaths , everywhere.Connecting every community.

  Photovoltaics on all industrial and agricultural buildings but NOT on fields. Hedges,copses,woods all linked providing wildlife corridors.

  A congestion/emission charge as you enter Cornwall ( cf London). The bigger the gas guzzler the bigger the fee.

  Plastic free Cornwall.

  Pesticide free Cornwall.

  Herbiicide free Cornwall ( note that Bayer are paying $8 billion for cancer caused by glysophate).

  GM free Cornwall.

  Carbon neutral by 2030

  No cruise liners.

  No super trawlers.

  Insulate every house.get rid of gas/oil boilers.

  All new homes to be 'passive'.

  All new homes to have solar thermal panels.

  Allotments/community gardens for all.

  Green spaces connected to all new building developments.

  No new roads.

  No factory farms - outdoor/extensively grazed/free range only.i.e. cruelty-free Cornwall.

  Local food sold locally.

  Vouchers for fresh and healthy foods to replace foodbanks.

  Cheaper energy for low usage then rachet up the costs for the higher users.

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• Share No 'new normal' just use common sense of what people really want on Facebook Share No 'new normal' just use common sense of what people really want on Twitter Share No 'new normal' just use common sense of what people really want on Linkedin Email No 'new normal' just use common sense of what people really want link

  No 'new normal' just use common sense of what people really want

  by Anonymous, almost 6 years ago

  Whilst high streets are in decline, I do not agree with the continuous development of out of town shopping complexes, as this is driving the decline of the highstreet. To help with the housing needs, second homes should be banned, and only those intending to actually move to / live in Cornwall should be allowed to buy a house, to free up many empty properties for those contributing to Cornwall all year round. I am really against the constant building of ugly, council looking new builds on green fields, so this seems the obvious solution. Also, if second home owners... Continue reading

  Whilst high streets are in decline, I do not agree with the continuous development of out of town shopping complexes, as this is driving the decline of the highstreet. To help with the housing needs, second homes should be banned, and only those intending to actually move to / live in Cornwall should be allowed to buy a house, to free up many empty properties for those contributing to Cornwall all year round. I am really against the constant building of ugly, council looking new builds on green fields, so this seems the obvious solution. Also, if second home owners are no longer allowed these, then they can stay in hotels etc which will help the local economy all year round. Once social distancing restrictions are eased, pubs should be supported to continue, as not all of us want the ever encroaching cafe culture, as it's not the same as a good old british pub. Abolish second home ownership, stop the need for ugly new builds and let those who live here get back to normal, as Covid will not be an issue forever, so there should not be a 'new normal'
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  A lesson to be learned

  by Jen, almost 6 years ago

  There is a definite lesson to be learned from the lockdown. It was plain to see. There was far less pollution and the countryside flourished. But sadly, once again, our lives are about to be put at risk by tourists flooding here, possibly carrying the virus. They do every year and suddenly we don't count any more. Everything must be right for the tourists. And by tourists I mean second homers as well who equally cause damage and destruction. So a plea from my entire family. Cut back on the numbers which flood here and abuse us every year. Tax... Continue reading

  There is a definite lesson to be learned from the lockdown. It was plain to see. There was far less pollution and the countryside flourished. But sadly, once again, our lives are about to be put at risk by tourists flooding here, possibly carrying the virus. They do every year and suddenly we don't count any more. Everything must be right for the tourists. And by tourists I mean second homers as well who equally cause damage and destruction. So a plea from my entire family. Cut back on the numbers which flood here and abuse us every year. Tax them by their beds and probably even more, by their camping sites and caravans. They bring their own food, spend very little and leave us to pay to clear up after them and to put right the damage they cause.

  Also, seriously, what is happening with the building controls in Cornwall? We've seen the plans for Hayle. What an eyesore! What are County Hall up to allowing this sort of thing?

  We pay a lot of taxes and high rates but our councillors never listen to us. We are an inconvenient truth to them perhaps.................
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  One and All

  by Donna W, almost 6 years ago

  Our Cornish moto 'One and All' should be a guiding force for the decisions that are made about our counties future. At the moment this does not seem to be the case. Local planning committees take decisions on developments and if they say no, the decision is taken to a higher power out of county and we end up with the development anyway. This approach is ruining our county.

  We desperately need more political and planning powers to make the decisions that affect our communities without those decisions being overridden.

  We need less tourists and we desperately need to control... Continue reading

  Our Cornish moto 'One and All' should be a guiding force for the decisions that are made about our counties future. At the moment this does not seem to be the case. Local planning committees take decisions on developments and if they say no, the decision is taken to a higher power out of county and we end up with the development anyway. This approach is ruining our county.

  We desperately need more political and planning powers to make the decisions that affect our communities without those decisions being overridden.

  We need less tourists and we desperately need to control the quality of the way in which seaside villages develop - Perranporth is being ruined, whilst St Ives prospers due to a better quality of visitor

  We do need a tourist tax and lets make it a high one

  No more second homes, give our children a chance to stay in Cornwall

  Get the £10,000 grants back from the second home owners who pretend they are running a business, this money could then go to improve the education of our children.

  Work to get the government to close the loophole which allows second home owners to avoid both council tax and business rates. Why should we be paying for their bin collections etc.

  If the above is enacted the environment would be better cared for which is critical for the health of our children.

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  
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  Is Cornwall dying?

  by wnevets, almost 6 years ago

  I was born in Newquay in 1967. Raised through a strong resonating tourism industry, where almost every household in and around Newquay offered B & B, including my own parents. This was a vital service to the economic region, above and beyond the Hotel businesses themselves, and when Newquay was full to capacity, it really was, with an ocean of families, couples, and yes the just as important 18-30 sector with THE MOST DISPOSABLE INCOME! Oh, and the Council made a killing on it too (even though they always seem to spend it everywhere other than Newquay)!

  Over the last... Continue reading

  I was born in Newquay in 1967. Raised through a strong resonating tourism industry, where almost every household in and around Newquay offered B & B, including my own parents. This was a vital service to the economic region, above and beyond the Hotel businesses themselves, and when Newquay was full to capacity, it really was, with an ocean of families, couples, and yes the just as important 18-30 sector with THE MOST DISPOSABLE INCOME! Oh, and the Council made a killing on it too (even though they always seem to spend it everywhere other than Newquay)!

  Over the last 15 years or so, I have had to sit and watch while the local chamber of commerce fades into an impotent almost not entity, whilst whingers and folk who have no vested interest in the local economy itself, have tried to destroy our tourism trade by attempting to shut everything down, and create their own little retirement paradise, devoid of tourism and jobs, and on top of that, the Police seem to want to shut it all down as well to reduce their work load - to hell with the local economy!

  Please, whatever Cornwall decides for the future, don't be pie in the sky; please approach this with a well focused, pragmatic and economy based business brain, and stop spending millions of our hard earned Council Tax cash on ridiculously pointless projects, and put that money where it really makes a difference. Oh wait, don't tell me - the money has to be spent on that or we don't get an allocation next year! Hmmmmm?
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  Many excellent suggestions

  by LesP, almost 6 years ago

  I have read the comments and agree with most -

  Yes, we need more political power in Cornwall, devolution etc, call it what you will

  Yes, more limits on tourism which has caused massive destruction and inconvenience to those who live here - less numbers, better quality, less pollution, less traffic jams etc

  Yes, a tourist tax is desperately needed

  Yes, a control on second homes which also cause huge damage in our locale

  Yes, more care for the environment

  Yes, a better planning department, not the out of control development now ongoing and permitted by a dysfunctional planning system

  ... Continue reading

  I have read the comments and agree with most -

  Yes, we need more political power in Cornwall, devolution etc, call it what you will

  Yes, more limits on tourism which has caused massive destruction and inconvenience to those who live here - less numbers, better quality, less pollution, less traffic jams etc

  Yes, a tourist tax is desperately needed

  Yes, a control on second homes which also cause huge damage in our locale

  Yes, more care for the environment

  Yes, a better planning department, not the out of control development now ongoing and permitted by a dysfunctional planning system

  Yes, faster internet access and encouragement to better quality employment either dependent on traditional industry or modern hi tech industry

  Yes, an encouragement to elected councillors to listen more to what local people are asking for

  Yes, a reduction in parking fees to encourage town centre footfall

  Yes, a control on out of town shopping centres and the associated MacDonalds takeaways which do none any favours

  Yes, a better quality local news source better than what the current press offers

  Yes, more respect for local heritage, history and culture

  So, a whole load of 'yeses' from me!

  The coronavirus has been horrible and I expect will continue to cause deaths in future but it has revealed a better Cornwall than what we have witnessed before. Quieter, less pollution, cleaner, more respectful and so on. Pity it won't stay that way.