A THIRD new housing estate of up to 200 homes could be built at Launceston, a town council planning meeting heard last week, writes Amy Dennis.

Launceston Town Council’s planning and economic development committee heard from Des Dunlop, of D2 Planning, who presented an outline of proposals from home builder Bovis Homes.

Documents shown to the council showed the location for the potential new housing estate as directly next to the Taylor Wimpey and Wainhomes estates, which are due to be built south of Tavistock Road, roughly opposite the existing Stourscombe estate.

Mr Dunlop, a planning consultant for Bovis Homes, said the home builder had ‘secured an interest’ in the site, and that the company ‘would like to build some houses in due course’.

He said there is a team of consultants looking at carrying out background work, in terms of ecology and highways, but that the process is at the early stages, with the home builder waiting to hear back from Cornwall Council with pre-application advice.

He added: “There is a long way to go in terms of that application. We very much look to engage with the local community now and throughout this entire process,” and said this would include a public consultation session, much like Wainhomes held at Launceston College at the early stages of its proposals for the new estate at Withnoe.

“In due course we would like to come back and give a proper presentation,” he added.

He said they are looking to providing up to 200 homes, and affordable housing would be provided.

Mr Dunlop explained to the meeting he had hoped to be presenting the information with somebody from Bovis Homes, but they had been taken ill — he said he hoped they would be present at the town council planning committee’s next meeting.

Later in the meeting, councillors raised concerns about infrastructure in relation to the new housing. Cllr John Harris said: “We are getting on for almost 1,000 more houses on that site.”