In a measure to reverse the deterioration of rural communities the Government are looking at ways to deter second home owners from buying properties that will be left vacant for most of the year.
Demand for second homes in rural communities has pushed the price of property out of the reach of first time buyers. Many such properties remain vacant for most of the year and as a result local schools and businesses are forced to close.
Gordon Brown commissioned an enquiry that to look into whether it is feasible to grant local councils the power to prevent the sale of a property where said property will not be used as a main residence. Planning permission would be required to convert the premises from a full time home into a second home.
This move will lead to a rise in the value of second holiday homes as less are become available on the market.
There are nearly a quarter of a million second home-owners in England and the effects of this on local communities is felt particularly in the South West, in places like Devon and Cornwall.
Matthew Taylor, the Liberal Democrat MP commissioned to carry out the report, said: “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.”
Although this move has been welcomed by many in rural communities other plans such as the reduction of Capital Gains Tax on the sale of second properties to 18 per cent this April seem to contradict the Government’s stance. |
