THE net has been widened for those looking for affordable housing in Gunnislake after few bids for homes came from people in the parish.

Eighteen new council homes in St Ann’s Chapel, Gunnislake, will soon be ready for new tenants to move in but with little take-up on the one bed flats during the first round of bidding, people outside the parish will now be asked to come forward.

The homes will be managed by Cornwall Housing and are for social rent — and the homes will be advertised in phases on Cornwall Homechoice as they become available.

Cornwall Housing’s Voids Control Manager Lydia Stevens said: ‘These homes are being built for those on the housing register who have a local connection to the parish of Calstock. Unfortunately, on the first round of bidding for the one bed flats we had very few bids from people who meet the first priority local connection to Calstock. This means that we will now be looking at applicants’ bids that meet the second priority which is a connection to a parish adjoining Calstock.’

Cornwall Council cabinet member for homes Andrew Mitchell said: ‘Demand for decent social housing in Cornwall is very high, so I am pleased that these new council funded homes will go some way to addressing that demand.

‘The new homes in St Ann’s Chapel are not only of a high quality, but they will be set at a social rent for local people in Cornwall. We are looking forward to having all 18 new properties completed with tenants settling in and making a home.’

The 18 new builds consist of: eight x one bed flats; six x two bed houses; three x three bed houses; one x four bed house. All properties will have an allocated parking space and small garden area.

Cornwall Housing’s development and regeneration manager Michelle Richards said: ‘We are really pleased with how these new homes are progressing. We have already been able to advertise four of the one-bed flats on Cornwall Homechoice for applicants to bid on.

‘The homes are built to a high standard, and we know that fuel poverty is a real issue in Cornwall, so along with an efficient gas central heating system — all the homes are well insulated to ensure optimum energy efficiency.’

Nick Cross, interim operations director for Cornwall Housing, said: ‘This development is another successful example of working together to positively address the needs of local people registered on Homechoice. However, we recognise that Homechoice may not be a realistic solution for everyone, as social housing has to go to those in greatest need. People who may struggle to access housing on Homechoice may not be aware of the many other options that are available to them.’

For more information visit www.cornwall housing.org.uk/gunnislake or visit the Cornwall Housing Facebook page.