An application has been received to change a group of barns known as Barton Holiday Cottages at Black Rock, Praze-an-Beeble, near Camborne, from holiday cottages into full-times dwellings, with the applicant citing the housing crisis in Cornwall.

The stone barns were converted into holiday units 20 years years ago, with the application building now housing two three-bedroom cottages, which over the last year have been used by Cornwall Council’s Temporary and Move-on Cornwall Housing Team to place tenants in need of emergency accommodation.

Kevin Moseley, agent for applicant Mr S Anguish, said: “It should be noted that it has been reported in the national press that there has been a reduction of over a third of housing available for private rent. 

“There is currently a housing crisis in Cornwall and it is of particular note that over the last year the council’s own temporary housing team has been placing tenants in the two properties as their main residence. 

“Under all of the circumstances there is no logical reason in planning terms why permission should not now be granted for the use of the premises as full time dwellings.”