Plans to build housing on land identified for future employment use are being supported by Liskeard Town Council.

The town’s planning committee has voted to support a proposal to construct 16 single-storey homes to the rear of Magistrates Grove in the town. Four of the homes would be affordable housing and 12 open market properties. The site is next to existing housing.

Cornwall planning officers have already rejected an earlier plan for 18 homes on the site due to concerns over the density of the scheme.

Alan Hartridge, a member of the public who has objected to the scheme, said: “The application is premature and approval of the proposal would represent an unwarranted, unsustainable development of further housing on the edge of the town.

“Planning permission was granted for a mixed-use development here in September 2015 when the applicant stated that it would be a sustainable development providing much-needed jobs to counterbalance current and future housing development.

“Approval would set an undesirable precedence for accepting weak S106 agreements to justify the provision of some affordable houses instead of measures to address employment needs to achieve a step-change in economic performance that will bring long-term prosperity to the market town and surrounding area. The applicants have not addressed the issue of possible employment measures to give some weight to the planning balance of losing an approved employment site. For example, at least exploring a contribution towards a local employment and training programme to provide training opportunities, apprenticeships and work experience placements.

“Indeed, from reading the information submitted, it seems that the applicant’s proposal is just to rely on the provision of some affordable homes.

“Affordable housing does not equate to the loss of a range employment opportunities required by approved planning policies or to commitments made to provide a mixed use development here.”

Cornwall Council will have the final say on the plan.