Cornwall councillors back 47,500 homes to be built
A plan to build more than 47,000 homes in Cornwall has been agreed by councillors.
The houses will be built by 2031 under the scheme, which was passed by 62 votes to 31 with 10 abstentions.
A motion for a lower number of houses put forward by Conservative councillors was overwhelmingly defeated.
Conservatives had argued 47,500 was too high but the portfolio holder for planning said it was now important to concentrate on the quality of housing.
Edwina Hannaford, who is also the portfolio holder for environment and heritage, said: "I supported that figure. If we don't have a plan we can't support our communities.
"We want to get policies adopted that will deliver affordable houses that will protect our precious landscape. I am very pleased about it."
Conservative councillors have said the number was too high and would lead to a planning "free for all".
Steve Chamberlain, of the council's Conservative group that proposed a 33,000 target, said: "The figure was based on the number of people who moved to Cornwall over the last 10 years.
"I think the higher figure is a mistake, very much so."
The number of houses agreed by councillors will have to go out to public consultation.