I was very concerned to see recent reports in the media about Cornwall Council consulting on plans to compulsorily purchase houses in Holmbush as part of their Clean Air Strategy.
I have now investigated further and received further information from Cornwall
Council on this issue.
The news that was reported recently stems from Cornwall’s
Clean Air Strategy draft document that members of Cornwall Council’s
Communities Portfolio Advisory Committee were asked to vote to approve and send
back to Cornwall Council’s Cabinet for further discussion and a vote in due
course.
The item regarding the compulsory purchase was only a very
small part of a much wider document. It reads:
‘Compulsory Purchase/Relocation:
In areas where air
quality is particularly poor, it can be very difficult to identify feasible and
affordable measures that will provide any meaningful reduction in pollution
levels. In the meantime, residents are exposed to unacceptably poor air
quality, with little prospect of achieving the air quality objective before
2030 in some locations. This is a difficult situation to address and one that
the Council would not want to continue. Therefore one possible option could be
to move residents away from the pollution. This is likely to be very
controversial and carry a reputational risk, however it is felt that the option
should be further explored rather than simply discounted.
The project would
involve development of land in a suitable nearby location to create a new
neighbourhood where those exposed to the poorest air quality could be provided
with a new property. This may be through compulsory purchase or an optional
swap. Additional properties could be built to accommodate those in need of
Council or affordable housing in the area and help to build a community, as
well as contributing to paying for the scheme. The land that is obtained
through the swap could be used for highway improvements or alternative less
sensitive uses such as retail.
Initial discussions
indicate that such a project would cost Cornwall Council several million pounds
to implement, but would be considerably cheaper than a bypass which may be the
only other option available to improve air quality. Neighbourhoods and Public
Protection would work with colleagues in Housing, Planning, Public Health and
seek the views of the local Member and Parish Council to further explore and
cost this option.
Although such a scheme
would provide a solution and could provide additional health and wellbeing
benefits, it also presents a number of risks to the Council. It would be
preferable to resolve the air quality problems and allow residents to stay in
their homes whilst making it a more attractive and healthy environment.
Members views are
therefore sought on this proposal however, it is recommended that further legal
advice is sought and consultation undertaken before a decision is made.’
I hope from reading this that you will see that while this
is a proposal put forward by the Council officers for discussion by councillors, it is not one of their
preferred options, for the reasons given.
While I do share the concerns about the air quality of the
A390 and will continue to seek sensible solutions to this issue, I would
certainly not support anyone being forced to leave their homes and if this
policy was adopted by Cornwall Council, would be firmly against it.
