Residents of St Ives, Cornwall, have voted to prevent development of housing aimed at second homers in a disputed referendum.
The referendum asked residents to agree to a ban on building any housing other than “principal homes”.
Cornwall Council announced that 83.2% had voted for the ban, on a turnout of just under 43% of the 7,300 eligible voters.
The referendum result will mean that any new housing projects will get planning permission only if they are reserved for full-time residents of the seaside town.
In addition, developers will be unable to sell homes to anyone who has a second home elsewhere.
At present, around 25% of housing in St Ives is owned as a second home according to St Ives town council.
However, a local building firm has lodged a judicial review on the legality of the referendum.
When the vote was first discussed, Brandon Lewis said the ban would interfere with people’s fundamental rights.
• To send feedback, email mike.cobb@estatesgazette.com or tweet @MikeCobbEG or @estatesgazette
