The Liberal Democrat leadership suffered a second defeat last night as the partys conference voted for a crackdown on second home ownership.
Against the advice of the federal policy committee, representatives backed curbs aimed at deterring people buying properties as holiday homes in scenic areas like the Lake District.
The federal policy committee accepted the need for a premium which would allow councils to double the council tax on second homes – in stark contrast to the current 50% rebate which is permitted.
But an amendment, passed on a show of hands, went further, requiring change-of-use planning consent for the transfer of a full-time residence to be used as a second home.
The amendment would allow councils to levy a flat rate tax to reduce second home purchases with no level or limit specified.
Urging the tough new policy, Stan Collins complained that second home owners in areas such as Lakeland, Norfolk and the New Forest were pushing home prices beyond the reach of local people.
The 50% reduction in council tax added “insult to injury” and cost councils £200m a year.
“We must do what we can to stop the destruction of our rural communities by putting first homes before second homes.”
But Paul Burral said that, while he backed the aim of the amendment, it was flawed and unworkable.
Richard Kemp, winding up for the committee, said the partys existing proposals already contained a significant step forward in dealing with what was an undoubted problem.
He insisted the committee could not recommend that representatives should support the amendment, a plea that was ignored by grassroots supporters.
The vote followed an earlier rebuff to leadership when delegates overwhelmingly backed calls for the national minimum wage to apply to all workers aged 16 and over, despite a plea from the partys treasury team to allow for a lower “development rate” for young people.
EGi News 23/09/98
