The council is now analysing feedback from communities across Cornwall following a series of drop-in sessions to support the development of the new Local Plan.Held over six months, the 24 events were the first phase of an extensive programme of public engagement activities to hear residents’ views on the future of Cornwall.Sarah Preece, Cornwall Council cabinet member for planning, said:"Having come to the end of this informal consultation phase, we are now looking at all the feedback received during the community sessions. "We've had fantastic engagement and are really pleased with how many people turned out to share their views on the things that are important to them about where they live and any changes they would like to see happen over the next 20 years. "Residents have been telling us about the issues that matter to them. These include the need for more affordable and social housing, improved transport links and health services, and protecting Cornwall’s culture and heritage and nature and the environment. They are also really interested in energy and making sure that we have sustainable ways of providing energy in the right places." Find out more about the Cornwall Local Plan 2050The community drop ins were led by Creative Kernow. Gregg Whelan, chief executive of Creative Kernow, said:"We have been able to spend time talking with and listening to individuals about what is on their minds around where they live, the issues they are facing and the things they'd like to see improved. "Everything which was said at all the different events was captured by members of our team. As well as providing the comments to Cornwall Council to inform the next stage of the Local Plan, we have also shared it back with the communities themselves. This means that people have been able to see that they have been listened to and also to hear what other people in their town or village have said about the place they live." One of those to attend a drop-in session in her local area was Ruth. She said it was very important to involve people at the beginning of the process: "If you want to get things right, you need to involve people from the start. If people feel part of the process, they take ownership of it. If you take ownership of your community then everything else falls into place." Dean agrees:"It is important that people don’t just wait until something is done and then complain about it. We all need to say what we would like to see in our communities if we want our children and grandchildren to have nice places to live." James attended his local session because he was concerned about future development:"We need to make sure that what happens in the future is what local people and communities really want and what really need.” Darren agrees:"Our voices need to be heard to ensure that plan is fit for purpose, not just for today, but for the future.” Cllr Preece said:"The new Cornwall Local Plan will take us up to 2050. It will define where we build, how we build, how many houses we build, how the schools and the workplaces are all connected, how much infrastructure we need, where our health services will be, and where we need to have our buses and car parking and bicycle tracks."We know that local communities can often feel that development happens to them without consultation. The Local Plan is an opportunity to make sure that everyone can have a real say about where development should be, so we get the right development in the right places in the future." Following the drop in events, the Local Plan team will be having further conversations with residents and organisations across Cornwall over the coming months as work progresses on preparing the plan. The feedback from this informal stage of the consultation will be used to feed into the Draft Cornwall Local Plan. Once the council has the formal go ahead, the team will have 30 months to complete the document, which is expected to be in late Spring 2027. Following further public consultation and engagement over Summer 2027, a revised Draft Local Plan will be produced incorporating public and stakeholder comments. This phase is due to be completed by Spring 2028 when it will be submitted to the Secretary of State ahead of a formal public inquiry led by an independent Planning Inspector. Cornwall Council is expected to decide on adoption of the Local Plan at the end of 2028. Story posted March 3, 2026