“No Provision for Social Housing”: Camelford Reacts to Three Market Homes on Church Land

• The Diocese of Truro proposed three detached homes on land beside a Camelford church
• The plan was linked to redeveloping the medical centre as a health hub
• The mayor was disappointed there was no social housing
• A councillor raised concerns about access onto the A39

A proposal by the Church of England to build three houses on church-owned land in Camelford, Cornwall, drew a mixed response from residents, the Cornish and Devon Post reported in October 2019.

The Diocese of Truro, represented by land agents Savills, held a public consultation at Camelford town hall on September 18. It proposed three detached three-bedroom homes, each with a kitchen-diner, living room, patio and two parking spaces, on land next to the church. The scheme was linked to plans to redevelop the town’s medical centre as a community health hub. Access would be from Trefrew Road near the A39. No formal planning application had yet been made.

Some residents were sceptical. “The worry now is that the land/properties will be sold and none of the benefits will be for Camelford,” said David Goodman. Councillor Rob Rotchell said his main concern was “accessing from Trefrew Road on to the A39 as it’s almost a blind junction”. Town mayor Claire Hewlett said: “I’m a bit disappointed that all three houses appear to be market-led with no provision for social housing for local people.”

Planner Ben Wood said: “We’re here on behalf of the Truro Diocese who are the landowners and then there’ll be a decision taken.”

The Camelford consultation shows the tension churches face when developing land: market homes bring more money, but communities often expect church land to deliver affordable housing. Jamaican churches with land to develop should expect the same questions from neighbours and local officials. Consulting early, being clear about who benefits and including some affordable homes can make the difference between community support and opposition.

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