In the picturesque village of Calstock, Cornwall, residents are expressing frustration over a housing development that has resulted in 33 unfinished homes being left to decay. The Devon-based developer, which originally planned to deliver 15 affordable homes, has found itself in a planning deadlock since the consent was granted in 2018. As costs escalated, construction halted, leaving residents to contend with a 'ghost town' that contradicts the village's idyllic setting.

The scheme was initially met with local support as it promised to provide affordable housing options, but the reality has been disappointing. Eight years after the project’s inception, homes intended for local families stand boarded up and derelict, serving as a reminder of unfulfilled promises. Anger among villagers is palpable, with many regretting that the site is now detrimental to the community’s appearance and wellbeing.

The ongoing dispute highlights larger issues in housing development within rural areas, where planning processes and financial viability are increasingly drawn out or hindered by unforeseen complications. As the community of Calstock grapples with the aftermath, the implications stretch beyond local anger, raising questions about the effectiveness of current housing policies and the responsibilities of developers to fulfill their commitments to communities.