Cornwall Council signs confidential deal with Homes England for housing

Cornwall Council has signed a confidential memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the government agency Homes England to increase housing delivery across the region. The agreement aims to secure funding to address a local housing crisis, where more than 20,000 households are identified as being in need and 800 are currently in temporary or emergency accommodation.

Cornwall becomes only the third local authority in England to enter into such a ‘place partnership’ with Homes England. The council’s Housing Growth Prospectus outlines prioritized projects to accelerate home construction. Housing Minister Matthew Pennycook has endorsed the council’s request and supported the prospectus.

Opposition councillors have raised concerns regarding the lack of transparency, questioning why the specific terms of the MOU remain confidential. Homes England has stated that the details of the agreement are to be treated as confidential information.