Protest group to fight home plans

Four hundred homes would be built under the council's proposal

A protest group has been formed to fight plans for hundreds of new homes in a picturesque part of Cornwall.

Four hundred properties are proposed for the Looe Valley, south of Liskeard.

Local people say that will ruin the landscape and tranquillity, and overwhelm services like schools and roads.

They have joined together to fight the proposals put forward by Caradon District Council.

Paul Dunbar, from the Action Group, said: "This scheme will have a bad effect on the economy and a bad effect on the environment.

It is very important to point out that this is not done and dusted Colin Cresswell, Caradon District Council

"The strong social ties which are the strength of the Cornish community will be heavily undermined by vast numbers of people coming in from outside."

Caradon Council says new homes are urgently needed in the district, but insists it will listen to concerns.

Council spokesman Colin Cresswell said: "It is very important to point out that this is not done and dusted.

"It's a proposal and if local people have got concerns, they should contact the council and let us know what those are so we can consider them when deciding which sites to put in the next edition of the Local Plan."

A public inquiry will be held into the Looe Valley plan, meaning no work is likely for at least three years.