Developer hits at 'ghetto' jibe

Vyvyans Court: Aluminium and timber cladding is recyclable

A developer has defended an affordable housing development in west Cornwall which has been labelled a future "ghetto" by a councillor.

Kerrier councillor Graeme Hicks criticised Vyvyans Court in Camborne for its "tower block" appearance, and said it should be more "traditional".

But the developer said the cedar and aluminium-clad flats would create a "great lifestyle" for occupants.

Fifty of the 56 flats have been bought by first-time buyers.

'Crime spots'

Mr Hicks said: "It should have been traditional. Where you haven't got public spaces, gardens, places to play, I do believe they may become crime spots of the future.

"It is very high density and my fear is that because they have not got the amenities it could become a ghetto."

But developer Dave Worllidge from Affordable Homes of Cornwall, has rejected the accusations.

"This is not an overdevelopment," he said.

"It is a commercial, industrial-looking building, which hopefully will create a great lifestyle to live in."

It's perfect for young people Helen Craig

First-time buyer Sam Dixon, who has recently moved into one of the flats said: "I think it's beautiful. It's like the Mediterranean rather than the middle of Camborne."

Helen Craig, another resident said: "It's not somewhere for families, but it's perfect for young people."

Mark Pearson, of Creating Excellence, a government organisation that backed the planning application, said the flats were a new response to modern issues.

He said: "Although we all love granite and slate, it is a very energy intense way of building.

"The timber and aluminium cladding, which I think is elegant, is recyclable. I think we are going to see more of this because we have to save the planet."