Plymouth MP says second properties and holiday homes have 'turbo-charged' South West's housing crisis

Plymouth Sutton and Devonport's MP is set to announce a 'First Homes not Second Homes' manifesto for the South West.

Luke Pollard is using a speech in Parliament to 'call time on local communities being hollowed out by second homes and Airbnb communities'.

The proposals have been developed in conjunction with Cllr Jayne Kirkham who leads the Labour Group on Cornwall Council and Cllr Tudor Evans OBE, the Leader of the Opposition on Plymouth City Council.

Mr Pollard says Devon and Cornwall has seen a huge surge in homes being bought as second properties and holiday homes since the pandemic.

He says this has 'turbo-charged the housing crisis': "The South West has some of the highest house prices compared to average income in the country.

"Too few homes are being built and many new homes are unaffordable for local people especially those in key worker roles.

"In Cornwall, there are many communities where more than one third of properties are being used as holiday lets and second homes; for example, St. Minver Lowlands, St. John, St. Minver Highlands and St. Merryn.

"In Plymouth alone, around 8,000 households are waiting for social housing according to Shelter.

"We welcome people investing and enjoying our region, but we must ensure that local people are not priced and pushed out of their communities."

Luke Pollard - Plymouth Sutton & Devonport MP

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% 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

Cllr Jayne Kirkham 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."

Cllr Jayne Kirkham - Leader of Labour Group on Cornwall Council

Mr Pollard will speak about the 'First Homes not Second Homes' approach in the Parliamentary debate on housing and planning reform called by Cornish MP, Derek Thomas today (Tuesday 7 December).

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