FAMILIES in Porthtowan are being told they cannot move into new low-cost homes on the edge of the village because of confusion over the district boundary.

The homes have not yet been built, but there are already queues of people "desperate" to sign up for them because of the chronic shortage of affordable housing in the area.

Yet the development has been stalled by Kerrier district council planners, who have turned down applications from local people because Porthtowan lies within Carrick's boundary.

Barry Lewis, managing director of the Housing Foundation, which is developing the site, described the situation as "unbelievable."

He said: "This scheme has had planning permission under the Government's exceptions policy for some years, but restrictions have now been placed on it."