My favourite way to refer to St Ives is – St Ives, not just a pretty place… but for many locals, finding an affordable place to live here has become increasingly difficult. The housing crisis is one of the most pressing issues facing our communities here in Carbis Bay and Lelant. It’s time to take meaningful action to address it.
The Challenges We Face
Over recent years, St Ives has seen a dramatic rise in the number of homes being brought as a second home, or converted into holiday lets. While tourism is vital to our local economy, the surge in properties dedicated to short-term stays has had a profound impact on housing availability and affordability for local residents. In fact, our parish has by far the highest number of properties classed as second homes in Cornwall, highlighting the scale of the issue.
Families and young people who have grown up in here are struggling to find homes they can afford, forcing many to move away from the town they love. Meanwhile, some developments are being carried out with the aim of circumventing our Neighbourhood plan, adding nothing to our community, and creating a growing imbalance in how our towns housing stock.
I understand that building new homes is always controversial, but it is sometimes necessary to meet the needs of our community. And living in Carbis Bay and Lelant, surrounded by fields, we are literally on the front line when it comes to building new homes. However, building more homes is only one answer, and for me there is a real case for ensuring the homes we already have are used for the right thing. We need to act now, especially with the current state of the housing market, and we need to ensure we create a more sustainable housing market for the future.
My Commitment to Change
As your representative, I am committed to ensuring that our parish remains a place where local people can live, work, and raise their families. My priorities include:
Delivering Affordable Homes: I will work to ensure new housing developments include a significant proportion of affordable homes designed for local families. And these homes must remain genuinely affordable in the long term.
Protecting Existing Housing Stock: I will fight to stop the conversion of family homes into holiday lets or second homes by supporting policies that prioritise local needs over commercial interests.
Promoting Responsible Development: Development should always serve the needs of the community. I will push for strict enforcement of planning permissions and work to ensure new projects align with the town’s character and values.
Supporting Community-Led Housing Projects: I believe in empowering our community to take control of its future. Initiatives like community land trusts can help deliver homes that are affordable and tailored to local needs.
What We Can Achieve Together
Addressing the housing crisis requires collaboration between local government, developers, and the community. Together, we can:
Advocate for policies that prioritize local families over external investment interests.
Secure funding for affordable housing projects.
Create a framework that supports sustainable growth while preserving what makes St Ives special.
Share Your Voice
Housing is a deeply personal issue, and I want to hear from you. What challenges have you faced in finding a home in St Ives? What changes would you like to see? By working together and listening to one another, we can create solutions that truly meet the needs of our community.
Let’s ensure that St Ives remains a place where local people can thrive. If you’d like to share your thoughts or learn more about my campaign, please reach out or visit my website. Your voice matters, and I’m here to listen.