The Cornwall We Want

What are your hopes and fears for the future?

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  People's Assembly for Cornwall

  almost 6 years ago

  I really valued the 'Cornwall We Want' event. While the discussion was interesting, comments from the audience in the live 'chat' were fascinating. It made we feel I wasn't alone in wanting a better, greener, more resilient place to live. What I would love to see is a people's assembly in each region which in turn fed into a People's Assembly for Cornwall. There is a wealth of expertise, creativity and imagination out there which is largely untapped. We are going to face some enormous challenges in the coming years - lets create an open system which is more inclusive... Continue reading

  I really valued the 'Cornwall We Want' event. While the discussion was interesting, comments from the audience in the live 'chat' were fascinating. It made we feel I wasn't alone in wanting a better, greener, more resilient place to live. What I would love to see is a people's assembly in each region which in turn fed into a People's Assembly for Cornwall. There is a wealth of expertise, creativity and imagination out there which is largely untapped. We are going to face some enormous challenges in the coming years - lets create an open system which is more inclusive, inviting people in. We are going to need team-work if we are to get through.
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  Homes

  by Gar, almost 6 years ago

  During the lockdown we have loved walking around more but have been struck by how many vacant properties there are, assumed to be mostly second homes.

  Tourists are valuable to our economy but not second home owners who arrive with everything they need for the week and then leave.

  I’m sad that so much building is taking place on greenfield sites when so much housing is empty for most of the year.

  This needs addressing. Homes should be for residents of Cornwall.

  Let visitors come and stay in hotels and campsites, spending money locally, and return the housing stock to... Continue reading

  During the lockdown we have loved walking around more but have been struck by how many vacant properties there are, assumed to be mostly second homes.

  Tourists are valuable to our economy but not second home owners who arrive with everything they need for the week and then leave.

  I’m sad that so much building is taking place on greenfield sites when so much housing is empty for most of the year.

  This needs addressing. Homes should be for residents of Cornwall.

  Let visitors come and stay in hotels and campsites, spending money locally, and return the housing stock to residents please.
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  Sensible, Sustainable, Sociable #2

  almost 6 years ago

  Yo and nicely put @The Chef

  Yo and nicely put @The Chef
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  Keep Cornwall beautiful

  by Pickle , almost 6 years ago

  Support local businesses and local farmers. To stop concreting over the countryside with huge amounts of housing, especially if it’s likely that these will be bought by out of county families.

  To encourage wild flowers as much as possible and plant bee/butterfly flowers. Stop cutting verges or limit it.

  Support local businesses and local farmers. To stop concreting over the countryside with huge amounts of housing, especially if it’s likely that these will be bought by out of county families.

  To encourage wild flowers as much as possible and plant bee/butterfly flowers. Stop cutting verges or limit it.
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  A greener Cornwall for Cornish communities

  by JocelynMurgatroyd, almost 6 years ago

  For me the positives far exceeded the negatives under 'lockdown'. Delabole was always a community spirited place, but the response of the village has been outstanding. As a conservationist I have always valued nature, but even I have been bowled over by the beauty of flowers, trees, hedges, birds and bees, during the stunning spring weather. It was good to see people you don't normally see on country walks beginning to appreciate the nature all around them. Initially going everywhere on foot and by bike, made you notice things more, take paths you had never ventured down before, build up... Continue reading

  For me the positives far exceeded the negatives under 'lockdown'. Delabole was always a community spirited place, but the response of the village has been outstanding. As a conservationist I have always valued nature, but even I have been bowled over by the beauty of flowers, trees, hedges, birds and bees, during the stunning spring weather. It was good to see people you don't normally see on country walks beginning to appreciate the nature all around them. Initially going everywhere on foot and by bike, made you notice things more, take paths you had never ventured down before, build up mental maps of the surroundings, and talk to more people. I valued the quietness of the roads and countryside. We want less traffic on our roads and less pollution. We want to be able to be able to cycle and walk in our country roads without the danger of being knocked over by cars. In the absence of pavements, we want want more combined cycle and walking paths created, away from the roads, so we can get from A to B under our own steam. And I don't just mean coastal walks for the tourists, but paths that allow the residents to travel between villages and towns in safety (and beautiful surroundings). Plus a grant scheme to allow residents to borrow and/or buy electric bikes to cope with the hills and distances in Cornwall. I am concerned by the idea we should build our way out of the economic effects of COVID-19. I think it is a great mistake to relax planning regulations. Local residents must retain the right to veto inappropriate developments and both Whitehall and Cornwall Council can not be allowed to dictate what is built in our villages. We don't want a whole load of extra houses built in inappropriate areas. For instance Delabole doesn't have the local shops, doctors, dentists, post offices, banks, schools, parking etc to cope with such schemes. A handful of houses spread around the village for local people to rent is fine, but big developments are a no-no. They will merely attract outsiders to our villages and will not benefit the existing residents at all. Second homes and holiday homes should definitely be discouraged as they don't contribute to community life, and price young people and existing renters, who might want to buy at some stage, out of the area. (Any houses that are built need to have solar panels and other green features built into them from the start.) The green belt around villages and towns should be protected. We need to prioritise the likes of community centres, post offices, banks and free ATMs to villages and small towns, so we don't have to travel miles and miles to access facilities. Biodiversity should be protected and expanded. Tree planting, rewilding, natural regeneration of woodland and forests should be prioritised. Introduce native species such as beavers to cope with flooding. Protect trees so local councils, developers or whoever can't just cut down large trees valued by the village without consulting widely, just because they claim they might be slightly unsafe, get in the way of buildings etc. Please plant community orchards for residents to have access to free fruit. We want wildflowers planted on verges, things left to grow a little wild rather than mowing things closely. I want access to libraries, to adult learning, art centres, galleries, theatre for the residents in North Cornwall, so we don't have to travel to Truro, Penryn, Falmouth, St Ives to access such things. Forest school should be provided for all nursery, primary and secondary schools. Geography field trips and other trips out of the classroom should be promoted. We can't let COVID-19 prevent such trips just because they are difficult to execute. A natural history GCSE should be promoted. School sports fields and access for the community to sports grounds, leisure centres etc should be provided. More public loos should be provided, as closing toilets during lockdown had loads of bad effects. People should be fined for dropping litter on the beaches and countryside. How about locals paying less in local car parks? Protecting our NHS services should be promoted, such as more NHS dentists, physios, GPs, free parking at hospitals etc. I could go on, but essentially promote nature, green initiatives, and look after your residents as opposed to just catering for tourists.
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  Locals first

  by Nanny Teague, almost 6 years ago

  We need to provide good jobs, good wages and reasonably priced housing to our local young people If we want to see them stay in the county. I’d like to see companies being encouraged to set up businesses in Cornwall and providing jobs and apprenticeships with fair wages. We need to provide cheap housing to locals and stop developers selling to others out of county who can afford higher prices. Many of these houses become second homes and are often left empty for many months, whilst our young people struggle to find a roof over their heads.
  If more houses... Continue reading

  We need to provide good jobs, good wages and reasonably priced housing to our local young people If we want to see them stay in the county. I’d like to see companies being encouraged to set up businesses in Cornwall and providing jobs and apprenticeships with fair wages. We need to provide cheap housing to locals and stop developers selling to others out of county who can afford higher prices. Many of these houses become second homes and are often left empty for many months, whilst our young people struggle to find a roof over their heads.
  If more houses have to be built, we need to stop building estates that have as many houses as possible crammed into a small space. We may want a home of our own, but we do want space, privacy, parking and a decent garden too. I’ve yet to see new homes that have these. It seems developers greed is always at the forefront. We also don’t want all our beautiful landscape covered with these concrete houses in a huge, ugly blot on the landscape. A few houses built in each village and town would be enough for locals. Planning must be looked at sensibly and these huge housing developments stopped.
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  Re: Second home owners (by Victoria T)

  almost 6 years ago

  @Victoria T - so many folk here will no doubt sympathise with your post. The new "situation" will make/is making it EVEN MORE difficult for locals to buy a home. People with money are often quite selfish !!!

  @Victoria T - so many folk here will no doubt sympathise with your post. The new "situation" will make/is making it EVEN MORE difficult for locals to buy a home. People with money are often quite selfish !!!
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  Community

  by WS, almost 6 years ago

  During lockdown our small community discovered it self again. People began to relax with each other and were no longer fearful . Local businesses and residents found each other in a symbiotic existence which neither knew they could achieve. Small businesses were thriving.The bay was peaceful with no litter. The beach litter cleared. Moving around was easy.This is what I want for Cornwall. Less reliance on the tourist industry which blights the community. I would like to see movement to greener sustainable industry . A move away from the numerous cafes and restaurants.I want the village to be filled with... Continue reading

  During lockdown our small community discovered it self again. People began to relax with each other and were no longer fearful . Local businesses and residents found each other in a symbiotic existence which neither knew they could achieve. Small businesses were thriving.The bay was peaceful with no litter. The beach litter cleared. Moving around was easy.This is what I want for Cornwall. Less reliance on the tourist industry which blights the community. I would like to see movement to greener sustainable industry . A move away from the numerous cafes and restaurants.I want the village to be filled with youngsters who are able to afford to live in the houses. Not second home owners and holiday companies who buy up huge swathes of housing.
  For our county to remain green and independent. To stop developers from building opportunistically and covering our green land.
  I want Cornwall to be a county for living not a play ground for the rich .

  We are all only guardians If this county.
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  My Cornwall my home

  by Ellie-May, almost 6 years ago

  I live in Newquay and run a small business in Truro. I find it very sad to see year on year the decline of these respective high streets, empty shops, to let signs it’s not great for the locals and only encourages tourists to shop in supermarkets and chain stores... this money does not go to the county, it lines the pockets of shareholders only. More needs to be done to support our towns, to encourage businesses with lower rates and cheaper or free parking. Go to any European town where the parking is free and shop rates are low... Continue reading

  I live in Newquay and run a small business in Truro. I find it very sad to see year on year the decline of these respective high streets, empty shops, to let signs it’s not great for the locals and only encourages tourists to shop in supermarkets and chain stores... this money does not go to the county, it lines the pockets of shareholders only. More needs to be done to support our towns, to encourage businesses with lower rates and cheaper or free parking. Go to any European town where the parking is free and shop rates are low or don’t exist you will see bustling trade, the same cannot be said here, this needs real forward and progressive thinking, you cannot flog a dead horse.
  Affordable housing needs addressing, it is unjust that people here are priced out of their own county, often with no benefit to the community, more often than not killing the spirit of a place, especially in winter. It’s almost parasitic that the visitor ends up killing off the very host that attracted them in the first place. The disparity between cost of living and wages only aggravates this situation.
  Bins and recycling... it needs to be reversed, recycling taken every week general waste once a fortnight, encourage recycling, take green / food waste so the amount that’s going to landfill can be reduced, again this serves to help with the growing population down here and our commitment to our environment and the sea which surrounds us. And please enforce proper bins so seagulls can’t just get in and create rubbish strewn roads.
  With a hole network of disused tunnels and train tracks throughout the county I wonder why a major project to get these used again to ease traffic and connect our towns and connections with the rest of the country more efficiently cannot be considered, it would be huge but so is HS2 and apparently it’s vital. Something has yo be done improve traffic and the accidents that frequently happen at Chiverton, that roundabout is a death trap.

  
  thank you for this opportunity

  Ellie
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  charlesG

  by CharlesG, almost 6 years ago

  I have read a number of contributions and have concluded that I am one of the 10% (larger I think than the number suggests!). I have a car and a dog (and a wife) and enjoy driving around the county and farther afield and as septuagenarians, cycling, although not out of the question is not really feasible and nor is public transport sufficiently flexible.

  In the short term the most important thing is to get the other side of this pandemic with as many businesses intact as possible and the least collateral damage to the local economy -all else should... Continue reading

  I have read a number of contributions and have concluded that I am one of the 10% (larger I think than the number suggests!). I have a car and a dog (and a wife) and enjoy driving around the county and farther afield and as septuagenarians, cycling, although not out of the question is not really feasible and nor is public transport sufficiently flexible.

  In the short term the most important thing is to get the other side of this pandemic with as many businesses intact as possible and the least collateral damage to the local economy -all else should be subordinate.

  In the medium term I think we do need more homes for people that are actually affordable and if that means more LA housing then so be it. Cycle lanes are OK but should not soak up funds designated for general road improvements. There are plenty of off road cycling opportunities for the enthusiasts and all on road users should be strongly encouraged to have mutual respect for each other and cyclists should use cycle paths where they are provided - some don't!

  Also we need to investigate better ways of providing public transport in rural areas - virtually empty buses ploughing the rural lanes equals a very expensive taxi service!

  In the longer term we need to progress, as a nation, with the zero carbon target of 2050. This in itself is a very ambitious and I know of no one in my area who thinks that the CC target of 2030 is either achievable or sensible. Not clear whether this is total zero or just the emissions that the council sees itself as responsible for. Either way the former is not achievable and the latter unlikely unless perfectly serviceable plant and CH boilers etc are phased out prematurely at high cost. Even if it was achieved the difference to global CO2 would be infinitessimal. I realise that every little helps but Cornwall is not responsible for global CO2, a bit of virtue signalling here!

  To those who want to go back to the '50s when very few cars were around and every chimney was belching out black coal smoke (remember that?) I say we are where we are and people are not to going give up their cars readily, although gradually they will increasingly be powered by battery or hydrogen cell. Certainly tourists (who are not going away) will not arrive at the Tamar bridge on bicycles with back packs any time soon.

  CC encourage all to insulate their homes properly (with guidance) and plant trees.

  Finally, clean up Cornwall - litterers and dog foulers should be taken to task much more than they are at present. Thank you