Ministers are considering proposals to stop people selling houses in Britain’s favourite beauty spots as second homes.
Councils would have to give planning permission for a house to be used as a second home.
The government wants to tackle the problem in some communities where second-home ownership is 40-50% of all residential property.
The idea is the centrepiece of a report from the Affordable Rural Housing Commission. Impact taxes could be levied on second homes,The Daily Telegraph describes how residents in Worth Matravers, Dorset, plan to build their own affordable housing. One of them has bought seven-and-half acres of land and is setting up a community trust to build five homes. Residents say 60% of the village’s houses are second homes.
References: The Times 18/05/03 page 2, The Daily Telegraph 18/05/03 page 4, The Guardian 18/05/03 page 16
