Last week Anthony hosted a zoom meeting with residents and local experts to discuss the housing crisis in South Devon.
A combination of poor planning regulations and too many second homes has created the perfect storm in which local residents are priced out of both of ownership and affordable rental properties. In the South Hams, a quick search online shows less than 20 properties to rent long-term but hundreds are advertised on Airbnb as holiday lets. On top of this, there are more than 5000 second homes in the area.
There are solutions, and I am delighted that the Government has already agreed to close the loophole that allows second homes to claim business rates. Cllr Judy Pearce from South Hams District Council and I are working together to go further and ensure that we tackle the abundance of second homes head on, while also offering suggestions ahead of the planning bill.
