From The Sunday TimesMarch 2, 2008

Gordon Brown to curb second home ownership

Isabel Oakeshott, Deputy Political Editor

THE government is preparing to impose drastic curbs on second home ownership that would stop people buying in sought-after rural areas.

An inquiry commissioned by Gordon Brown will recommend local authorities have the power to prevent outsiders buying property they do not intend to make their main residence. Those seeking to buy country boltholes that deprive local residents of houses would be forced to apply to the council.

They would have to win planning permission to change the house from fully occupied to a second home and could be refused by the council. The inquiry is also considering banning outsiders from buying newly built homes in such areas.
The move is likely to reduce the supply of houses in counties such as Cornwall, Devon and Norfolk available for use as second homes and push up their price.
There are concerns it could lead to “snooping” by council officials investigating how homes are used. Up to half of all properties in the most sought-after villages belong to second home owners, leading to the closure of schools and shutting of public services outside peak season.

The inquiry will describe second home ownership as a serious concern and call for radical action. Matthew Taylor, the Liberal Democrat MP who was invited by Brown to do the review, said: “For the rural communities that are affected, this is a massive issue. This measure would allow local authorities to say that a property cannot be converted from a full-time home into a second home.

“In some communities, 30%, 40% or 50% of the village is dark most of the year. It raises huge issues for the sustainability of the community.”

Taylor, MP for Truro and St Austell, said the shortage of affordable housing in most rural areas was mainly due to an influx of former city-dwellers moving to the countryside permanently.

However, he described second home ownership as a “huge problem” for popular villages in areas such as his constituency, and the national parks in Yorkshire and the Lake District. Taylor, who will submit his report to Brown later this year, said the scheme could be piloted in areas worst hit by second home ownership before a decision was made about extending it nationwide.

The necessary legal changes could be introduced through amendments to the government’s planning bill. It would be up to councils to decide where to use the new powers. Restrictions would not apply to properties now being used as second homes.