This heartfelt message made by an Illogan campaigner is self-explanatory. The Church of England is acting disgracefully and should be ashamed of itself. But they won't be, because it's all about money, eventhough they are already an obscenely rich institution. Money is the root of all evil. This time, it is not actually Cornwall Council’s fault… maybe:
"I wanted to share with you the beautiful Glebe Field, the last open space in the centre of our village of Illogan, which is the birthplace of the fictional character, Demelza Poldark.
This field is Glebe land, previously owned by Truro Diocese.
The Diocese have recently sold it to Coastline Housing for development.
33 houses will begin to be built later this year which will be squeezed into this small heart-shaped piece of land.
It is not infill.
This little patch of land nestles beside the historic church of St Illogan, a living churchyard, the cemetery, The Rectory, farmland, Manningham Woods and open countryside. It was sold without public consultation.
The village of Illogan is desperate for allotments, surely this land should be used by its parishioners, as was its original intention.
The cemetery is almost full and the field was earmarked by the then Kerrier Council as an extention for the cemetery.
The area suffers from terrible traffic problems including antisocial parking and speeding and the proposed entrance is to come out onto a 90° blind bend opposite the dangerous junction to Bridge Road.
Ventonraze (Fenton Ras) Illogan's historic well lies opposite and the houses in the area suffer terribly from flooding (Inc my own). We will be affected by the loss of the natural drainage the field provides.
The school is full, as are the doctors’ surgeries.
The field and the woods and open countryside behind are full of wildlife, deer, hedgehogs, bats , nesting tawny owls, nuthatch, great spotted woodpecker, green woodpeckers and various shy woodland birds that we are lucky to have visit our gardens as this area gives them space to live.
More importantly Illogan is just about to lose its LAST OPEN SPACE.
A space where we could've connected with nature, gathered, celebrated, improved our well-being, strengthened our relationships and had a space to breathe.
Why are villages being destroyed in this way?
Why is it acceptable?
The Council turned down the Church’s application to build here, but they appealed and it was over turned by Thomas Bristow, a Government planning inspector from Bristol, an inspector who has been told to pass everything, we are certain.
He has only denied three appeals in ten years, what does this tell you?
So come on Cornwall, think about our beautiful County (sic) and make some moves to challenge over-development.
It's happening everywhere.
It's destroying our beautiful land that we love so much.
If you want to know more, please look at our Facebook page Friends of Glebe Field Illogan.
Cornish resident of Illogan"
Meanwhile, in Mabe, and as two large new developments are barely completed, already causing traffic mayhem at Treliever and Asda roundabouts, this:
www.falmouthpacket.co.uk/news/17729310.plans-submitted-for-thirty-new-houses-in-mabe
Mabe Parish Council has "vigorously" objected to the application and recommended it for refusal to Cornwall Council who will have the final say. Councillors felt that the estate would not address the needs of community. Traffic concerns and lack of affordable housing were cited as reasons for objecting. Developers South West Strategic Developments have marked 30 per cent (9) of the proposed homes as affordable.
Cornish Solidarity asks: if this is to go ahead, why 30% affordable and affordable to whom??? Perhaps to these people:
"According to a freedom of information request Cornwall Council officers have been on 46 overseas trade trips since 2015 to locations including Singapore and New Zealand."
And finally, a message from our friends in North Cornwall:
"Eight Thousand Eight Hundred & Eight Houses
That’s 8,808 ‘homes’ that are now registered as businesses in Cornwall - and of that number, 6,650 don’t pay any council tax or business rates, as they claim small business rate relief.
That’s 6,650 properties where council tax is not being collected, resulting in the loss of a considerable potential income to local authorities, town and parish councils and to our almost non-existent police force.
Here in Padstow, we pay £1,352 Council Tax for a two-bedroom property - we pay full whack, as we are raising a family instead of operating a staff house, holiday home or bed and breakfast.
Let’s just do a little scribble here on the back of an envelope ... these houses are not little hovels like ours here, these are large properties, by and large. Let’s just take a little calculation at a figure of £1,500 x 6,650 = £10m
Never mind the burden and the fiddle on the water services. Council tax bills, like water bills only seem to rise ...
If this cannot be reigned in now - can anyone imagine how we are going to get on with a further 52,000 houses (actually 60,000 currently, but what’s 8,000 or so between friends?)"