Liberal Democrat MP for St Ives, Andrew George, is preparing to introduce a Private Member's Bill in Parliament designed to grant local councils enhanced powers to manage the proliferation of second homes and holiday lets. The proposed legislation seeks to enable authorities, such as Cornwall Council, to prevent properties originally built for permanent residents from being converted into holiday accommodation or second residences, subject to ministerial approval.
Mr George emphasised that the core objective of his bill is to ensure local communities can adequately manage their housing stock to meet the needs of the resident population. This comes amidst growing concerns in popular tourist destinations regarding the impact of a high concentration of non-permanent residences on housing affordability and the availability of essential local services.
The issue resonates deeply with long-term residents in areas like St Ives. Phyllis Rashleigh, an almost 80-year resident of the town, highlighted the transformation of her neighbourhood, noting that many homes near the harbour, once occupied by friends, are now exclusively holiday lets or second homes. She expressed concern over the resultant decline in local facilities, such as libraries, banks, and shops, which rely on a permanent resident base. Ms Rashleigh also pointed to the prohibitive cost of housing in the area, with properties near the harbour costing around £500,000, making them unattainable for those on a minimum wage.
However, the tourism sector has voiced apprehension about potential new regulations. Katie Warrens from the Cornwall Self-catering Collective cautioned against measures that might disrupt the delicate economic balance of regions heavily reliant on tourism. She argued that tourism acts as a significant driver for numerous other industries in Cornwall, and excessive intervention could lead to not only a housing crisis but also an employment crisis due to job losses.
Concerns have also been raised regarding the timeliness of such interventions. Former St Ives mayor Johnny Wells suggested that, with an estimated thousand second homes or holiday homes already present in the town, any legislative action might be a decade too late to fully reverse the trend. The debate underscores the complex challenge of balancing the economic benefits of tourism with the housing needs of local populations in desirable UK locations.