TALK, talk, talk! That's all we get about the dire need to house our local youngsters and first time buyers. When will the talking stop? And when will action be taken?

One of the major problems I found as a planning councillor for over 16 years at Kerrier (including as chairman and vice chairman) is that government planning policy guidances (PPGs) don't give any room to manoeuvre. I've lost count of how many times I've seen young couples leaving the Kerrier council chamber in tears because, under the present government dicta, it was against policies. The only way to get around that was by going to appeal and that for a young couple is costly and time consuming (up to two years) and the government- appointed inspector usually rules against the applicants.

In my home village of Four Lanes, I did manage to get developers to build (or about to build) houses for our hard-pressed youngsters at a realistic price. It took two years of hard work, many planning meetings and land negotiations. On top of that we had again to get government permissions for "exception" sites and a lot of hassle over funding. I have also to say many "local" people were against both schemes, so you can see there are many problems to overcome.

Answers! Firstly, the government should allocate more land adjacent, if necessary, to villages, towns and hamlets, so planning would be much easier for applicants. Secondly, the government should either allow local councils to build more houses or at least give a lot more money to housing associations. Thirdly, second homes and holiday lets should at least have planning conditions on them to make sure they are not as, at present, empty most of the year. Fourthly, second homes, holiday lets and absentee landlords who stockpile houses/dwellings as assets should pay double the amount of tax for that privilege. Fifth and probably the most important one of all is to make sure everyone is singing from the same hymn sheet. All too often we have personal agendas from developers, land agents, councils and various government agencies and it's no wonder the housing situation is in such a mess!

Personally I find it obnoxious that most of Cornwall's coastal villages and seaside towns, like St Ives, are completely dead in the winter with second home and holiday let owners enjoying their luxurious life styles, while local people suffer the ignominy of seeing these empty houses every day!

Finally, I would like at least 50% of any new developments built to be for locals, 25% is ridiculous!

My comments have been sent to various agencies, including the government. I await replies with interest.

Tommy Bray, The Square, Four Lanes