15th
Mar 2022
A west country Labour MP is apparently gaining backing for his campaign called ‘First Homes, Not Second Homes’.
Luke Pollard the Labour Plymouth Sutton and Devonport MP, claims the rapid increase in homes being purchased as second properties and holiday homes ever since the pandemic first raised its ugly head, has “turbo-charged the housing crisis” in the South West renowned for having some of the country’s most expensive house prices and unfortunately lowest wages.
Pollard’s campaign claims that in Cornwall there are countless small communities where already over a third of properties are being used as second homes and Airbnb type lets such as St. Minver Lowlands, St. John, St. Minver Highlands and St. Merryn near Padstow.
The First Homes not Second Homes Manifesto calls for:
1. New powers from government for councils to progressively raise taxes on holiday lets and unused second homes, up to a quadrupling of council tax where homes are left empty for much of the year;
2. A licensing regime for second homes, Airbnbs and holiday lets – with a minimum of 51 per cent of homes in any community being for local people. Councils should have the powers to raise this level to reflect local circumstances;
3. A ‘Last Shop in the Village Fund’ – powers for local councils to introduce a Community Infrastructure Levy on holiday lets and Airbnbs, administered by local authorities, to support local shops, pharmacies, post offices, and pubs;
4. Commitment to build affordable homes and social housing across the South West with a priority for local people;
5. Lock in the discount of new homes for future renters and buyers to ensure affordable homes are not lost after the first family moves on.
Pollard says: “The South West is the region most affected by second homes and holiday lets. We welcome people investing and enjoying our region, but we must ensure that local people are not priced and pushed out of their communities.
“That is why I am calling for the South West to be the first region to commit to a first home not second home strategy so local people don’t have to move out of their community to get a job or a home they can afford.”
Jayne Kirkham, leader of the Labour group on Cornwall Council supports Pollard’s campaign, said: “In Cornwall we are seeing a collapse of the private rented sector and a dearth of affordable housing causing homelessness. It also creates a barrier to keyworkers coming to fill vital NHS, care, and other jobs cross Cornwall.
“Since the pandemic, and the surge in domestic tourism we have seen local families evicted across the South West to see their homes turned into second homes and Airbnbs.”
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