New scheme launches to get more Looe locals into long-term homes
The town has been described as one of Cornwall's "housing crisis hotspots"
Last updated 23rd Jan 2023
A new housing scheme has launched to provide long-term housing for local families and young people in Cornwall.
The proposal hopes to help people who work in Looe, one of "Cornwall’s housing crisis hotspots", to get into high-quality affordable accommodation.
The 'Three Seas' group sets out to buy the flats and repair them for long-term rentals, after a previous similar project reforming old homes in Cawsand.
Simon Ryan, manager, said: “Many of us were involved in a successful effort in Cawsand village, to buy three ex-council houses and do them up for local families. That worked really well, and the houses are much loved. Now we want to use that experience to do the same in Looe. We’ve got the skills and the contacts – it’s a great opportunity".
The town has a terrace of Coastguard Flats, high on the hill overlooking the harbour. The Cornwall Council owned homes were first built over 200 years ago and are now near derelict. The group say a lot of money needs to be spent on them which the Council doesn’t have.
The flats are small one-bed properties, particularly aimed for young people wanting to stay and work in the coastal town they grew up in – with a risk that they would otherwise be sold off as second homes.
Anne Edwards has lived in Looe all her life, next to the new homes which are proposed to be redone for local residents.
"Everybody has to move away"
She told us: "When you're born and bred here, it's such a lovely place to live. It's beautiful. But if you got nowhere to live you've got to move away and I don't think it's right. You should be able to live in your town if you want to.
"There is absolutely nowhere in Looe for anyone, local, young, to rent. Everybody comes along to buy for second homes, summer lets, and everybody has to move away. It's not fair".
"You should be able to live in your town if you want to"
The group has had strong support from Looe Town Council and the local Cornwall councillors.
Tony Smith, deputy mayor of Looe Town council, said: “This is a truly exciting opportunity for Looe. The Three Seas people have proved they can do it, just up the coast – we are delighted that they’ve chosen our town for this new work. We will support them all the way”.
Cllr Armand Toms and Edwina Hannaford, Cornwall Councillors for Looe, said in a statement: "We were very pleased to hear about this proposal, and have both given it our full support, with contacts, information and help from the Council. We will work closely with Three Seas to make this work for local people. It is just what Looe needs!”
Cllr Ollie Monk, Portfolio Holder for Housing at Cornwall Council, said: “I was delighted to support the first Cawsand project that created the new homes for that village, and its great news that the success there can be replicated elsewhere in the county.
"I’m pleased to be part of this new proposal and hope that it will be the first of many, adding new energy to the existing work to create new and better homes for Cornish people".