FOLLOWING Cornwall Council’s consideration and subsequent approval of the application for up to 260 new homes, a new school, road improvements and extra community facilities at Hillhead Farm, Stratton, Scott Mann, Conservative MP for North Cornwall, said the decision is positive for the area’s infrastructure.

Although the application was met with opposition by many locals, Cornwall Council recently approved f the plans, with Cllr Paula Dolphin (Lib Dem) stating at the latest meeting: “This is definitely the right place to build more houses…I think it’s a great site as it promotes school collaboration.”

However, before the application was approved, many took to the Cornwall Council website, leaving their comments.

Marcus Bryant said: “…This is another excuse to build more homes, not for the community but for profit…” Another objector, Gareth Cann, said: “…There is not enough work in the town or the local area, and the roads would not cope with the extra traffic.”

With the decision of the application to build up to 260 new homes being in the hands of the head of planning, and with the plans for a new school, community facilities and improvements to the road on Skitches Corner being recently approved, Mr Mann said: “One of the most common gripes I hear from constituents, rightly, is the lack of infrastructure with big developments, and I’m pleased that the proposals for Stratton include a GP surgery, a school, a community building, a multi-activity area and road improvements.

“Although the final decision for the 260 homes has been delegated to the head of Planning, the highlight for me is the thumbs up for a new junction at Skitches Corner.

“I went down to the junction not long after I was elected to see the constant traffic that speeds past parents and children trying to cross the road, and I have since been badgering Cornwall Council and CORMAC to build a new junction.

“I’m therefore very pleased that it will be re-modelled, and I hope that a high proportion of the new homes will be affordable to buy and rent for local people.”