Jonathan Griffin continues his commentary on the recent Housing Needs Survey with thoughts about potential locations for development in the Parish.

One of the most interesting features of the Housing Needs Survey is the long list of responses to the question: ‘Where should any development be?’ This question invited people to give their answers in free text, so we have had to analyse and group the responses. Some familiar and expected themes have emerged.

About 20 responses mention environmental concerns, including the need to preserve the AONB, build away from the creeks and rivers, and avoid productive farm land. It is hard to disagree with any of these given the importance of the environment to the parish which was underlined in the first survey.

Another 20 or so responses mention transport and services issues, highlighting the existing pressures on parking and road systems. One even emphasise the need for pavements which echoes the over 30 responses which say any development should be within walking distance or close to the existing settlements (Flushing and Mylor Bridge). Another 20 or so say development should be ‘on the outskirts’ of the villages.

When it comes to other general locations there is a fairly even split between ‘Flushing’ and ‘Mylor Bridge’. We have to hope that the residents of one have not recommended the other and vice versa. No one has mentioned completely new sites or an expansion of any of the other hamlets in the parish.

There are few surprises when it comes to specific locations. Most of the sites have been mentioned before and fit the framework outlined above. In Flushing the obvious site is an extension to the Tregew Meadow development at the entrance to the village.

In Mylor Bridge the most frequent suggestions are: Bell’s Hill close to Robert Rundle Way; above Mylor Gardens, backing onto Olivey Place; above Saltbox Road; on the right of Rosehill as you leave the bridge; and a range of other suggestions, some of which – like building on the playing fields or behind Cockwells – are impractical for ownership reasons.

The big and difficult list is the nearly 50 responses which mention ‘brownfield sites or ‘infill’. This is a strongly held opinion which needs addressing properly which I shall do in the next and final blog.

Let me end with some of the more ‘creative ideas’ to show that we have read and noted all the suggestions. One person recommends only building ‘luxury style, modern 5+ bedroom houses (£1m+)’. Another suggests a ‘Mylor Bridge by-pass from Broad’s Lane to Rosehill’ to ease congestion. Amen to that but I wonder what the Enys estate would say about it. A number mentions building in Truro and another ‘Underwater (if Truro or Camborne is not available)’.

I think we know what they are trying to say.