CORNWALL Council is set to sell off a former school playing field in Wadebridge to make way for a new housing estate.
The local authority's planning department has been negotiating with housing developer Taylor Wimpey to create 130 dwellings on land off Bridge View.
The council-owned site is the playing field of Wadebridge Girls Primary School, which closed two decades ago, and selling it to the developer will enable 31 homes to be built there, including 12 which fall under the affordable housing criteria.
The adjoining land is owned by a family trust, and Taylor Wimpey has acquired an interest in the site which will allow it to build a further 99 homes, providing planning consent is granted by Cornwall Council.
The council is hoping to negotiate for 40 per cent of the total houses built to be affordable by local people.
Iain Thompson, a surveyor with the local authority, has told members of the Cabinet that the sale will be a good deal for council.
"The council now has an opportunity to dispose of this surplus asset, and, in doing so, both generate a substantial capital receipt and bring forward a significant new residential scheme for Wadebridge, which will in turn, deliver much-needed affordable housing for the town," he said.
The Cabinet is expected to back the sale of the playing field today.
Wadebridge East Cornwall councillor Steve Knightley supports the land deal.
He said: "It makes good sense to take advantage of this opportunity to sell the land as this represents an opportunity to get the best price possible.
"The land in question was always in NCDC's development plan as WAD 5, and indeed if we are to meet the target for Cornwall Council's Core Strategy for housing needs in the future, this land will form a valuable contribution.
"It should not really be of any surprise that this land is being developed, as I can remember discussions and negotiations 20 years ago before the chapel was finally demolished and that particular site lost as a potential access to the land behind."
Mr Knightley added: "I am aware that there are local concerns regarding the access onto Bridge End. It is clear that highways will have to consider, at the very least, parking restrictions on the lower end of this road and its junction with Egloshayle Road.
"Many locally would wish to see these restrictions, even without any further development, as this road is narrow and owners of vehicles using this area for long-term parking are causing, according to some residents, a nuisance. Clearly, before any development takes place the proposals will be subject to all the normal planning procedures and consultations."
