A prominent councillor is angered a social housing company proposes to sell another one of its properties in the Newquay area during the housing crisis.

St Columb Minor and Colan Cornwall councillor John Fitter was flabbergasted Ocean Housing proposes to sell off its property at 49 Cross Close.

The proposed sale follows the social housing company selling off properties in Coronation Way and Leader Road in the past 12 months.

Ocean Housing states it has decided to sell the empty two bedroom house in Cross Close, dating from 1956, as it is not economical to improve it to the required standard. 

The company says it will use the money from the sale towards new affordable homes for Cornwall, as well as improving its existing properties.

But Cllr Fitter believes Cornwall Council should put a stop to the social housing company selling off “desirable” family homes close to schools, shops and a bus route into Newquay.

Cllr Fitter said: “The reason for the sale of this house is starting to become a habit with Ocean selling off houses which they deem not suitable to bring it up to an accepted standard. 

“This is the third house in the last 12 months that they have sold with in my division, houses that are near primary and secondary school, all within walking distant and in a sustainable location. 

“Cornwall Housing will not buy them and so they leave the rented housing market.“It is all very well saying the money will be reinvested, but not here in St Columb Minor where the rented housing market is being contracted by the very company who are supposed to be providing the social housing in this area

“When will the management at County Hall wake up and stop this nonsense and tell the Oceans of this world that they should reinvest in existing stock and not take the easy option and just run away.”

Kate Milton, a sales and disposals advisor at Ocean Housing, in an email to Cllr Fitter, said: “As you will be aware, housing associations can sell homes from their existing housing stock.

"This is seen by Homes England as a legitimate means to generate income to enable investment in new affordable or existing homes.

“The property is being sold due to the investment required to make the home suitable for letting.

“We have given this decision careful consideration and have concluded that it is not economical for us to retain this property and improve it to the required standard. 

“The property will be advertised for sale on the open market. The proceeds from the sale will contribute towards our investment into new affordable homes for Cornwall, as well as improving our existing ones. 

“We have shared details with Cornwall Council colleagues so they have an opportunity to consider purchasing it."

Cllr Fitter, in reply to Kate Milton’s email, he stated: “When will this stop, as I see this it has been an on-going process since I took over this division. 

“Three in the last 12 months.

“Why has Ocean allowed the standard of this house to fall below a level that would deem it too expensive to bring it up to standard, this is the same excuse that I am given each time and regretfully I do not accept it. 

“This is an ideal location, as was all the others you sold, schools and shops nearby, bus route on the Hendra Road. 

“In a desirable location, so easy to sell and get a good market price for. 

“The problem is that it will no longer be rented accommodation, and of course the sale money will not be used to build anywhere else with in my division.

 “So as a housing provider you are contracting out of my division, not even staying static. 

“The whole thing is quite disgraceful and unacceptable but as ever your company will just get away with it, while the UK government looks on and does nothing to halt this form of action and there by a decline in social housing.”