People of Launceston have welcomed plans to build 30 affordable homes at Prouts Corner, according to the Community Development Trust.

Launceston Community Development Trust (CDT) are working with Social Investment company Resonance, Cornwall Rural Housing Association, Andrew Kirby Architects Ltd and Arcadis Ltd to develop the 30 new homes, and held a public consultation meeting in Launceston’s town hall on Monday, February 25. The CDT wanted to get feedback from locals regarding their proposal to build in the two fields adjacent to the lay-by, down from Prouts Corner on the A388.

The proposed project will be a mixture of one, two and three bed houses made from natural materials, focussed on providing affordable housing for people with a connection to Launceston. The planned site entrance would be accessed via the current lay-by, down from Prouts Corner. The developers are hoping to make use of the lay-by, which according to them, ‘is currently used as more of an overflow car park for local residents.’

Lara Bell of Resonance, hopes this proposed project could provide some form of residents’ parking scheme, to curb some of the parking issues the town has.

Resonance help communities meet local needs, they invest primarily in community led projects that include housing, sport and leisure and renewable energy generation and have already invested over £8-million in community projects. Lara said: “We have been encouraged by what we have heard today from the Launceston residents.

“We provide funding and finance for the benefit of Launceston, to support projects such as this.

“The response we have had has been great, lots of people want to get behind this and have offered some helpful ideas, as well as taking on board some of our own.”

As this would be a community led project, it means that it wouldn’t be restricted by standardised building constraints and has allowed the architects to design homes that they think people will really want to live in.

Andrew Kirby, founder of AK Architects explained that the proposed housing would focus on being low energy and be ‘incredibly efficient’ for home owners. He said: “This is an example of how housing can be better. We designed this with an agricultural aesthetic but remaining contemporary.

“This is so that it fits in with the local vernacular but still contemporary, meaning of its time.” AK Architects are an organisation focused on delivering contemporary designs for low impact living.

Andrew went on to address the issues regarding building on a slope, as the two fields are a steep site to build on. Andrew said: “This site is outside what planners would deem suitable, for developers focused on profit, it would be far too much to do.

“CDT are a non-for-profit organisation, which makes this a viable project. We have designed the homes to be upside down living to take full advantage of the views and to create a more communal living environment.

“We have developed an innovative mix of housing and landscaping using timber frame and a shipping container unit delivery concept.

“Blackened timber cladding on super insulated timber frame establishes an important connection to local rural buildings for the two and three bedroom units. The houses are built into the bank with south facing light wells creating important natural light into the backs of the homes.

“The buildings will be super insulated using natural insulations to achieve an exceptionally low heating demand, which is both very environmentally friendly and comes with low running costs for residents.”

Subject to the final energy review, it is hoped energy demands will be entirely met with renewable technologies, being developed by Community Energy Plus.

Andrew continued: “Allotment food growing terraces divided by Cornish hedgerow banks form part of a high biodiversity landscaping strategy continuing up the hill, with generous public spaces in the centre of the site and community orchard to the north.”

Daniel Brewer, a volunteer director at the CDT was on hand to speak with local residents and was there to welcome their input. He said: “Today we have been really encouraged to what we have heard from locals in the area. We’ve been here to listen to people’s ideas, not just those who are already on board.

“We have heard from neighbours in the area and been able to explain to them the ideas that we have for the project.”

Daniel went on to explain that it isn’t just housing they’re building, but also a community area.

He said: “With five acres of space at our disposal we hope to create a legitimised area for people to walk through, rather then them accessing the fields unconventionally, like they do now.

“We are aiming to create a place for people to come to. Not just available for people that are living in the housing.”

The plans to benefit the community don’t stop there, as the CDT have more ideas for the future. Daniel added: “All the rent and payments received from the housing will go back into the community.

“We have other initiates that we support in Launceston such as promoting local activities, improving pitches, sports centres and tennis courts.

“Ultimately this is an investment in the community, what we can do together, that we can’t do alone.

“As this is outside the plan policy the only backing we have is if local people get behind it!”

These low impact homes have been put to local companies to be built.

Daniel said: “We have been encouraging local companies to get behind the project, we have to stick to our principals and unfortunately not too many of them are confident we can do it.

“We had Launceston’s Chamber of Commerce in earlier who were supportive of this and through them we are hoping to do a presentation to local businesses for their support.

“I am completely confident that this will get accepted when we apply for planning!”

The CDT are hoping to submit their application sometime in March.

In regards to how much these new homes will cost, the CDT don’t have an actual figure, but Daniel explained that they have sought advice from two local estate agents. He said: “We have asked them to value the rent and sale of these properties on the current market and will then offer them at 80% of this cost.”

The properties are available to rent and to buy, but also have the option for shared ownership without a mortgage, which will give renters the chance to purchase their home in parts, whilst having the security of tenure; being a part owner.

The fields are currently owned by a private family trust and will be purchased by the CDT subject to planning, incorporating the plot price of each home into the selling price.

Anyone with a connection to Launceston is able to apply for the housing; anyone that currently works in Launceston; has previously lived in Launceston; or currently lives in Launceston. You need to be on the housing waiting list and can’t already be a home owner.

It is also encouraged for applicants to offer something back to their community such as, cutting the communal grass or maintaining the shrubbery. Daniel said: “It’s important to see what people can bring to this project.

“If you approach with the attitude of, ‘what can I get out of this’, then it probably isn’t for you!”

CDT are asking people to get behind the project and visit their website to contribute any ideas or responses they might have.

Daniel said: “If you are a private renter then we want to here from you.

“If you are over 16, think about becoming a member of our organisation for just £10 for the whole year, which allows you to vote on our elections and have your say on the projects we support.

“We urge anyone who has Launceston in their heart to get behind us.”

For more information go online at www.launcestoncdt.co.uk