'Desperate' coastal village to get 81 new homes

The applicant said St Merryn was in "desperate" need of affordable homes

More than 80 new houses are set to be built in a coastal village in Cornwall after plans were approved.

Cornwall Council approved the proposal to build 81 houses in St Merryn, near Padstow.

The homes, of which 45 will be classed as affordable, would be built on 3.8 hectares (9.9 acres) of land south-east of St Merryn Park.

Applicant Sue Walters, from Situ8 planning consultancy, said the area was in "absolute desperate need" for affordable homes.

"We believe that the proposal will significantly support the demand for homes for local people," she said in a statement to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

The site is situated between two residential and holiday developments, St Merryn Park and Atlantic Bays.

The development will include a community building, connecting footpaths and an attenuation pond.

'Very welcome'

At the time of application, a HomeChoice housing register in St Merryn parish showed 69 homes were needed for affordable accommodation.

The 45 affordable homes will be a mix of 70% rented and 30% for sale, said the proposal.

Stephen Rushworth, who represents Padstow on Cornwall Council, said 80% of people who commented on the council's planning portal were in favour of the plans.

"The parish council has been 100% behind this plan," he said.

"It's very welcome as most local people can't afford the prices that houses sell for in St Merryn."