Villagers fume over ‘ghost estate’ left unoccupied and without affordable homes

Villagers fume over ‘ghost estate’ left unoccupied and without affordable homes Sarah Hooper Published March 3, 2026 7:45pm Updated March 3, 2026 7:45pm Share this article via whatsappShare this article via xCopy the link to this article.Link is copiedShare this article via facebook Comment now Comments 33 homes are unoccupied in a small Cornish village (Picture: SWNS)

Villagers in Cornwall are fuming over a ‘ghost estate’ and are blaming ‘building houses for wealthy people from outside the area’.

The 33 new-build homes on the plot in Calstock have never been lived in after their costs snowballed out of control.

Planning permission was approved in 2018, but a seven-year planning row followed, and it is still empty.

Locals are fuming and blame the row on not making enough of them affordable homes.

One fumed: ‘This development is adjacent to my son’s home hence my knowledge. It has been frozen for a few years, absolutely ridiculous.

‘At the moment, the whole debacle is disgusting. Just give it to the local council to allocate to Cornish locals.’

Locals want the council to set a deadline for completion (Picture: SWNS)

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One ranted: ‘In situations like this, councils should have the power to set a deadline for completion, or the revocation of the planning permission will take place.

‘From the number of reported instances in just Cornwall, it would seem many developers submit plans that far outstrip their ability to deliver and end up being bankrupt.

‘I dread to think how many unfinished properties there are in the UK that could be used to reduce homelessness, overcrowding and people living in substandard accommodation.’

One local said: ‘South east Cornwall is one of the most deprived areas in the country – perhaps building houses for wealthy people from outside the area isn’t the best way forward for the community.’

The developers, Michael Wight and Adele Fulner of Construction Partners Ltd, had intended for nearly half of the properties to be affordable.

But Cornwall Council then had a revised planning application which saw the number of affordable homes reduced.

The homes have been unoccupied for years (Picture: SWNS)

It is claimed it took a few years for those plans for for 10 affordable units to be green lit – by which time costs has spiralled.

The council maintained that reducing the affordable housing provision from 15 to 10 units still met the requirements for the village.

One local told Cornwall Live: ‘They never built all of the houses, so the ones that are boarded up are the expensive ones that were for sale, and overpriced, in my opinion.

‘The developers then didn’t continue with the social housing part of the development, which was the reason why they got planning in the first place. It is such a shame.’

Director Michael Wight previously accused Cornwall Council of ‘weaponising’ legal agreements, saying officers had added additional requirements to the plans – like a second road and a £750,000 retaining wall.

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Cornwall Council said that it is actively engaged in discussions with the stakeholders involved – adding that issues with the development had been ‘ongoing for several years’.

In a statement last year, a spokesperson said: ‘The council is committed to working with developers that have been granted planning permission to ensure that a housing development, and the agreed number of affordable housing homes, are delivered in line with the planning permission.

‘Issues with this development have been ongoing for several years, and the Council has done all in its power to work with the company; however, we must adhere to local and national planning policy, including local neighbourhood plans.

‘The Council remains in active discussions with stakeholders to find a solution to secure the delivery of the development, including the vital affordable housing element.’

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