Cornish MPs proposed a series of potential solutions to the county's housing problems in a meeting with Housing Minister Yvette Cooper.

Andrew George MP for Helston and St Ives, and his colleagues at Westminster, proposed the introduction of new planning regulations to control the extent of second home ownership in those areas where it has a detrimental effect.

Mr George's delegation also proposed a new second homes impact charge to fund the building of new affordable housing.

The Minister agreed to look at both of the ideas further and that she would meet Mr George again in a few months to see if and how the proposals could be taken forward.

While she explained that second home ownership levels are not a national problem and therefore do not require a national response, she did acknowledge that some parts of the country have levels of second home ownership which contribute to the difficulties of those seeking affordable housing.

Mr George said: "This was a constructive meeting and I hope that the Government will give these proposals a very close and careful look. In areas like Cornwall and the Scilly Isles, doing nothing is simply not an option."

Mr Rogerson said, "I was pleased to see that the Minister showed that she was listening. Obviously the door is still open and I hope that we can persuade her to take action which would help create a fairer housing market for local people in Cornwall. It's a shame that the Conservatives are continuing to defend second home ownership at the expense of local communities."