Cornwall Council Urges Prince William to Address Housing Crisis in County

Cornwall: The council is really pushing for Prince William to step up. They want him to help with the housing crisis in the area. It’s a big deal, and many families are struggling.

At a recent meeting, councillor Julian German suggested that the National Trust should consider using its holiday properties for long-term rentals. This could really help families who need homes. He believes that if the Trust leads the way, other landowners might follow.

The Duchy of Cornwall owns a lot of land, around 18,710 acres. This includes various properties that could be used for housing. Cllr German pointed out that many of these properties could be lived in again.

He mentioned that the housing crisis affects all of Cornwall, not just the towns. There are families in temporary accommodation, which isn’t good for anyone. It costs a lot of money too, over £10 million a year!

Some councillors supported the motion, saying it’s time to act. They highlighted that many National Trust properties used to be family homes. But not everyone agreed. Some felt the motion was unfairly targeting the National Trust.

Cllr Philip Desmonde argued that the motion could hurt the Trust financially. Others, like Cllr Andrew Mitchell, stressed the importance of helping families in need. He pointed out that many people are facing eviction.

The council voted on the motion, and it passed with a strong majority. A spokesperson for the National Trust responded, saying they always consider local housing issues when managing their properties. They also noted that some of their holiday homes might not be suitable for long-term rentals.

This debate shows just how serious the housing situation is in Cornwall. Everyone is hoping for a solution that helps those in need.