Cornish Social and Economic Research Group

This book does three things. First, it outlines how Cornwall’s planners and local elites put the interests of future second home owners and in-migrants before those of current residents. The economic failure of this policy is outlined and the environmental consequences of growth identified. The book then moves on to discuss the cultural impact of policies that are marginalising the Cornish people and threatening to destroy aspects of Cornishness. Second, it pursues the question of why a failed, unsustainable and damaging population-led policy is still being adopted. It finds that some interests gain financially, others swallow a simple ideology of growth, while in addition central government and an over-reliance on tourism help lock us into a spiral of unsustainability. Finally, it reveals the democratic deficit that exists in Cornwall, before exploring some potential strategies that could replace a developer-led agenda with democratically-led policies that put Cornwall and its people first.