A housing estate in Cornwall that has stood empty for nearly a decade has been put up for sale. The 33-home development in Calstock saw only 10 homes fully or partially built before construction stopped in 2019, and none were ever lived in.
The site is now listed without a guide price. All 10 constructed homes are intended for the open market, and the listing notes that none of the affordable housing has been built.
Development halted amid rising costs
Work on the development began more than a decade ago, but construction halted in 2019 following local opposition and high interest costs. The developer was unable to afford to finish the project as costs grew out of control.
The listing states: "None of the affordable housing has been constructed or commenced. 10 of the 23 proposed open market houses have been constructed (8 to virtual completion) and are vacant although final finishings and snagging including the installation of some white goods, floor finishes and coverings etc. are still required in many instances."
Local anger over empty homes
Some villagers accused the developers of building homes for "wealthy people" from outside the area. One person, whose son lives next to the boarded-up site, said: "It has been frozen for a few years, absolutely ridiculous. At the moment the whole debacle is disgusting. Just give it to the local council to allocate to Cornish locals."
Another local said councils should have the power to set deadlines for completion or revoke planning permission. They added: "Perhaps the government should buy these properties and arrange for them to be completed. Then hand them over to the relevant council to be used as social rented homes."
Affordable homes and legal disputes
Developers Michael Wright and Adele Fulner said they had intended for nearly half the properties to be affordable. Original plans included 15 affordable homes, but this fell to 10 under revised plans, which Cornwall Council said still met the village's requirements.
Michael, a director of Bridge View, previously accused the council of "weaponising" legal agreements, claiming staff had added requirements for a second road and a £750,000 retaining wall. The firm said delays left it with £1.2 million in interest costs and unable to afford the remaining work.
Cornwall Council said in a statement: "The council is committed to working with developers that have been granted planning permission to ensure that a housing development, and the agreed number of affordable housing homes, are delivered in line with the planning permission. Issues with this development have been ongoing for several years and the council has done all in its power to work with the company however, we must adhere to local and national planning policy, including local neighbourhood plans."
Sale details and conditions
The property comprises approximately 1.55 hectares (3.85 acres) of land with a southerly aspect, upon which planning permission has been granted for residential development. The listing notes that foundations for a number of plots have been laid and part of the retaining wall has been constructed.
A spokesperson for Stratton Creber Commercial said: "Currently, we are simply seeking proposals from the housebuilding sector and we haven't put a formal guide price on the site. I anticipate that interested parties will have a significant amount of due diligence to undertake prior to formulating pricing proposals."
On top of the asking price, a buyer would face a contribution of almost £100,000 towards education and open space under a Section 106 planning agreement. The estate roads also need work to meet Cornwall Highways' 11 requirements before the council can take responsibility for them.
