Full News Report

18th February 2025

County Council auctions off Morval cottage

CORNWALL Council has completed the sale of a terraced property overlooking the railway line at Sandplace for a price believed to be run the region of £116,000.

The building, No.2, Council Cottages, was sold at auction as part of the council’s ‘disposals programme’ for properties that are too costly to bring up to decent homes standards. 

When it was placed on the market, Cornwall Council said that the reason for the sale was that the property required a significant amount of investment and was no longer economically viable to retain.

It was described as one of three cottages in Sandplace that had had past issues with disrepair; the other two having been sold at auction several years ago.  

A County Council spokesperson added: “While this may cause understandable concern, the investment levels on a small number of properties significantly reduces the funding available to improve and repair the majority of our homes. 

“This is not a sustainable position for the Housing Revenue Account Plan, so there is a need to dispose of these ‘high cost’ properties. 

“This is an issue across England with most Housing Associations and Councils actively disposing of properties when the repair costs are high, or where the properties required significant investment to reach modern standards. 

“Selling this property will ensure that this home will be available to be lived in again as quickly as possible.”

Auctioneers Clive Emson, who have offices in Exeter, Kent, Sussex, Hampshire and Essex, described the Council Tax Band D freehold property as a character two-bedroom cottage with a garden, ‘enjoying a pleasant setting with views to woodland over the renowned and scenic Looe Valley Line’.

It added: “The property, which is conveniently located for the renowned picturesque coastal town and fishing port of Looe, is likely to appeal to a multitude of sectors including residential/holiday let investors as well as primary and second home owners.”

The funds raised from the successful auction will be reinvested into Cornwall Council’s affordable housing stock.