Scott Mann MP celebrates ‘One of the Biggest Things Ever to Happen to Housing in Cornwall’
North Cornwall MP Scott Mann has hailed the Government’s new plans to reform how holiday lets operate as ‘one of the biggest things ever to happen to housing in Cornwall’.
Mr Mann has long argued that there needs to be a rebalancing of the local housing market in constituencies like his. When concentrated too heavily in certain communities, holiday lets can have a negative impact on community cohesion, the local economy, and on people’s ability to find anywhere to live in the communities they call home.
The Government has recognised this, and to try and tackle the issue, it is announced that:
- A mandatory register of short term lets will be established, with those properties better regulated.
- Any property rented for 90 days a year or more will have to register as a holiday let.
- New planning powers will require a planning application to change a home into a short term let, and a new usage class will be established in the planning system.
The Treasury has also indicated that changes to how holiday lets are treated in the tax system could be considered.
This comes on top of the decision to give Cornwall Council the authority to double Council Tax on second homes, something that will come into effect from 2025.
Scott has always said tackling our housing crisis requires a two-pronged effort – one that increases supply but manages aspects of demand. As well as having to compete with demand from investors, some people are also finding themselves evicted from their homes by landlords looking to change the property into a holiday let, worsening an already tricky local rental market. The Covid-19 pandemic saw an acceleration of this trend.
Commenting, Scott said:
“We need more homes, but we have to make sure these homes service our needs locally. More homes, but make them first homes.
In some of my parishes over 60% of the housing stock is second homes and holiday lets. We are seeing huge numbers of new-build properties located away from the traditional tourist resorts now being brought up as holiday lets and second homes. It is unsustainable. Businesses are crying out for staff, and local people are crying out for homes.
These changes will stop ever-increasing numbers of homes being changed into holiday lets, and in time will help the market rebalance towards local need. It is a major step in the right direction and should be celebrated. The results won’t be immediate, but these changes will help protect local communities in the years ahead.
This is the result of Conservative MPs listening to their communities and campaigning alongside Conservative Councillors to convince a Conservative Government of the need for change. It shows what can be achieved by strong local representatives working together.
I have called for these specific changes for years now. The fact they are now being implemented is, in my view, one of the biggest things ever to happen to housing in Cornwall, and I am grateful to the Government for taking action.”
Further details on how the registration scheme will operate are due be consulted on.
