More land needed
Cornwall's Local Plan to 2050: What It Means for Property Owners
Cornwall is changing — and the Council is asking locals to help shape what comes next. If you own land, rent out a property, or are thinking about investing in Cornwall, a new round of planning work could directly affect you.
Cornwall Council is working on an updated Local Plan that will guide how the county grows between now and 2050. As part of this, they’ve launched a Call for Sites — a process where landowners, developers, and community groups can suggest pieces of land that might be suitable for future housing, employment, or infrastructure.
This is a big deal. The Local Plan decides where homes can be built, what types of buildings are encouraged, and what infrastructure (like roads, schools and health services) will be needed. It also shapes how communities look and function — whether we get dense estates or smaller infill, affordable homes or executive builds.
Why is this happening now?
Cornwall, like many parts of the UK, has housing targets set by central government. The new plan aims to allow for roughly 4,400 homes per year over the long term — more than in previous plans. That means the Council needs to earmark land in the right places to meet future needs.
To do that, they’re asking for suggestions now. If you own land that might be suitable for development — even if it’s agricultural, brownfield, or unused space near existing settlements — you can submit it for consideration.
They’re also holding local consultation events. For example, Ludgvan Parish Council held a public session on 9 September where locals could comment on future growth, needs, and concerns.
What this means for property owners
Landowners: If you have a field, a yard, or old industrial land, now is the time to check whether it might be eligible. Sites that are accepted into the Local Plan often gain value — it could be the difference between greenfield and development potential.
Investors/Developers: The Call for Sites can help identify future hotspots or areas where development will be welcomed. Early engagement gives you a head start.
Homeowners: If you live near open land or in a community likely to be expanded, your area could see major change in the next 10–20 years. Public engagement is your chance to influence what that looks like.
Tenants & future buyers: This process also determines where affordable homes, rental schemes, and infrastructure (schools, GP practices, public transport) are likely to go. It’s long-term planning, but it shapes availability and quality of housing down the line.
What we don’t know yet:
Which specific sites will be accepted into the plan
How infrastructure will be budgeted or prioritised
The mix of housing types and tenures
Whether environmental protections (e.g. greenbelt, flood zones, AONBs) will restrict development in some areas
What should you do now?
Check your land – If you’re unsure whether your plot might be eligible, the team at Greenway can help you understand the basics.
Attend a local event – Find out when your parish is holding a planning session.
Submit a site – The Call for Sites is open now on Cornwall Council’s website.
Stay informed – Join mailing lists or follow updates so you’re not caught off guard later.
At Greenway, we stay ahead of planning changes so you don’t have to. If you’re wondering what this might mean for your land, your home, or your next move, speak to the team. We’ll explain what matters and how to act — plainly, locally, and with your interests first.
