Fury over ‘ghost property’ in Cornwall with 33 new-build properties… however nobody has ever moved in
Furious villagers living near a ‘ghost estate’ that is still empty after eight years have blamed houses being built for ‘wealthy people from outside the area’.
The 33 new-build homes in Calstock, Cornwall, have never been lived in despite planning permission being granted for the estate back in 2018.
It was left unfinished and boarded up after the developer said costs spiralled out of control due to ongoing delays and legal disputes with Cornwall Council.
Of those built, 15 homes were said to have been allocated for affordable housing – but neighbours say they were still too costly for people living in the area.
Many of the other homes are believed to have been valued between £500,000 and £800,000.
One local said: ‘Why on earth don’t the council take them over and rent them out as social housing. It seems ridiculous to knock them down?’
Another added: ‘This development is adjacent to my son’s home hence my knowledge.
‘It has been frozen for a few years, absolutely ridiculous.
‘At the moment the whole debacle is disgusting. Just give it to the local council to allocate to Cornish locals.’
The Calstock housing estate in Cornwall which has been deserted and left boarded up amid a planning row with the council
An aerial view of the housing estate with 33 homes that have never been lived in
Many of the other homes are believed to have been valued between £500,000 and £800,000
A third said: ‘In situations like this councils should have the power to set a deadline for completion or the revocation of the planning permission will take place.
‘From the number of reported instances in just Cornwall it would seem many developers submit plans that far outstrip their ability to deliver and end up being bankrupt.
‘I dread to think how many unfinished properties there are in the UK that could be used to reduce homelessness, overcrowding and people living in substandard accommodation.
‘Perhaps the government should buy these properties and arrange for them to be completed.
‘Then hand them over to the relevant council to be used as social rented homes.’
It is understood that the developers, Michael Wight and Adele Fulner of Construction Partners Ltd, had intended for nearly half of the properties to be affordable.
But then a series of disputes arose with Cornwall Council, which involved the planning application being revised and the number of affordable homes reduced.
It is claimed it took years for the spat to be resolved, by which time the costs of building the estate had spiralled.
The estate was given planning permission in 2018 but building work was stopped when costs spiralled
Of those built, 15 homes were said to have been allocated for affordable housing – but neighbours say they were still too costly for people living in the area
The 33 new-build homes in Calstock, Cornwall, have never been lived in despite planning permission being granted for the estate back in 2018
The council maintained that reducing the affordable housing provision from 15 to 10 units still met the requirements for the village.
One local told Cornwall Live: ‘They never built all of the houses, so the ones that are boarded up are the expensive ones that were for sale, and overpriced, in my opinion.
‘The developers then didn’t continue with the social housing part of the development, which was the reason why they got planning in the first place. It is such a shame.’
Director Michael Wight previously accused Cornwall Council of ‘weaponising’ legal agreements.
He said officers had added additional requirements to the plans – like a second road and a £750,000 retaining wall.
Speaking previously to the BBC, Mr Wight added that their budget was ‘eroded’ as a result.
Cornwall Council said that it is actively engaged in discussions with the stakeholders involved – adding that issues with the development had been ‘ongoing for several years’.
In a statement last year, a spokesperson said: ‘The council is committed to working with developers that have been granted planning permission to ensure that a housing development, and the agreed number of affordable housing homes, are delivered in line with the planning permission.
‘Issues with this development have been ongoing for several years and the Council has done all in its power to work with the company however, we must adhere to local and national planning policy, including local neighbourhood plans.
‘The Council remains in active discussions with stakeholders to find a solution to secure the delivery of the development, including the vital affordable housing element.’
