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A postcard-perfect Cornish village loved by the Royal Family is struggling with an affordable housing crisis as rising property prices force younger generations to leave the community.

Often referred to as “England’s St Tropez”, St Mawes has long attracted wealthy buyers, holidaymakers and second home owners thanks to its picturesque harbour, sailing waters and spectacular coastline.

The idyllic village was built by the late Queen Mother, Queen Elizabeth II. It has been a favorite destination of the Royal Family over the years, with Elizabeth II, King Charles, Queen Camilla and the Prince and Princess of Wales also visiting.

But behind its postcard-perfect image, St Mawes has become a “victim of its own success” and property prices are now out of reach for many local families, residents say.

There are currently 45 houses for sale in the village, 23 of which are priced between £1 million and £8.5 million. In contrast, there is only one three-bedroom family home on the market priced at £325,000.

Local resident John Andrews believes the beauty of St Mawes ultimately became the biggest challenge.

“Because this is such a nice place to live,” he said.

“In a way it is a victim of its own success, but there are a lot of Cornish villages that have the same problem, which is market forces.

“When you basically live in paradise, I guess that’s the price you pay.”

The impact is also reflected in the village’s declining population.

Figures from the Office for National Statistics show the number of permanent residents has fallen from 851 in 2001 to 644 in 2021; That’s a drop of more than 20 percent. Campaigners say voter registration data shows the decline has been even steeper over the past three decades.

Local resident Alan Macklin said rising house prices were leaving many young people with no choice but to move elsewhere.

“There are a lot of expensive homes that put prices beyond the reach of local families,” he said.

“There is critical demand and a desperate shortage of affordable homes.

“What we have seen over the last few decades is that when younger generations leave their homes, they cannot afford to buy a house in the village.”

He added that many workers now commute to St Mawes every day because they can no longer afford to live there.

“If you look at the main road into St Mawes at eight or nine o’clock in the morning, there are a lot of white vans going to work because they can’t afford to live in the village.”

Despite housing pressures, residents insist tourism remains the lifeblood of the local economy.

“We can’t afford not to have tourism. If tourism dies, the village dies,” Mr Macklin said.

To tackle the housing shortage, local volunteers have formed the St Mawes Affordable Regeneration Team (SMART), which hopes to build 17 truly affordable homes for local families on a former school site.

The community-led scheme includes one-bedroom flats and family homes; Properties are either sold at cost or rented at as affordable a price as possible.

SMART member Crawford Rogers said the development would help meet the village’s current housing needs.

“Once these are completed, there is a generation of young people whose needs will be met,” he said.

The £3.5 million project is expected to combine public funding with community investment and campaigners are urging residents to support the planning application.

However, the organizers underline that they do not blame second home owners for the crisis.

Chris Rose said: “The problem isn’t necessarily high prices or second homeowners, it’s just that it creates an affordability gap.”

Mr Rogers added: “We want second homeowners, they are not the problem.

“We don’t want to create a division because we need these guys because they are part of what’s going on here.”

Campaigners hope the development will allow more young families to stay in St Mawes, helping to preserve the village’s primary school, post office and community life, while ensuring one of Cornwall’s best-loved seaside destinations remains a living community rather than just a holiday destination.