Wait for homes 'set to increase'

The housing crisis in Cornwall is getting rapidly worse, according to a new report based on a consultation carried out by an MP.

The report claims 19,000 people in the county are on housing waiting lists and the number is likely to increase.

The consultation was carried out by Truro and St Austell Liberal Democrat MP Matthew Taylor.

The Campaign for Affordable Homes in Cornwall said it was very worried about the findings.

Lower wages

Mr Taylor's consultation asked local people, housing organisations, plus district and parish councils for their thoughts on the issue.

The Campaign for Affordable Homes in Cornwall said it blamed a shortfall of affordable land and funding for some of the problems.

It also claimed developers, planning authorities, and second home owners were making it impossible for local people needing affordable homes.

Matthew Taylor was asked last year by the prime minister to conduct a review on how land use and planning could better support rural business and deliver affordable housing.

The government's Communities and Local Government department said it knew many rural communities were faced by a combination of higher than average house prices and lower than average local wages which could cause problems delivering affordable housing.