Cornwall Council plans to repurpose farmhouses as children's homes

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 13 Nov, 16:32 · Archive

Cornwall Council is considering converting some farmhouses on its 10,500-acre estate into council-run children's homes.

Cornwall Council's Cabinet approved a new farms strategy on Wednesday, November 11, which could see some farmhouses converted into council-run children's homes. The authority is seeking to house around 100 acres of its farmland initially, with plans for 300 more acres in the longer term.

The decision follows months of controversy after the council announced in summer 2025 that it was considering the future of its farm assets. Local farmers, campaigners and some councillors raised alarm at the prospect of large-scale sales. A six-month scrutiny inquiry concluded the entire estate should not be sold off.

Instead, the council agreed to cut the number of dairy farms and reduce farm buildings and equipment to improve financial viability. The Cabinet approved a recommendation to 'carefully assess each farm's ability to meet financial targets' and remove elements 'unlikely to sufficiently contribute towards these to a satisfactory level'. Cabinet member Tim Dwelly cited the council's 'huge amount of financial pressure' in justifying the changes.

How it is being reported

• Cornwall Council farmhouses could become children's homesThere has been a new development in the ongoing saga of Cornwall Council’s plan to sell some of its 10,500-acre farms estate in a bid to save money.Falmouth Packet · 13 Nov, 14:43
• New twist in Cornwall Council farm estate sagaSome farmhouses may be repurposedCornwallLive · 13 Nov, 13:19

In this story: Cornwall Council · Liberal Democrat / Independent administration · Cornwall

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