An experimental restriction of second homes in national parks was one of the recommendations listed in MP Matthew Taylor’s report into rural economies and affordable housing.
The Government is however yet to be convinced that a restriction of second homes would be either workable or deliver the intended benefits, when there are more innovative ways of providing the affordable housing rural communities need without limiting the rights of second home owners.
The Prime Minister commissioned Taylor, MP for Truro and St Austell, to conduct the review and following its release the Government welcomed his report saying that the core proposals support and extend the commitments already made to boost affordable housing and ensure that every rural community can share in the nation’s prosperity.
The review stated that long term under supply of housing in rural areas is holding our rural communities back.
It recommends a new drive to boost rural jobs and community led affordable housing through enterprise hubs, greater home working, neighbourhood extensions to market towns, rural exception sites for local people in villages, and the experimental restriction of second homes in national parks.
Housing Minister Caroline Flint today signalled that the Government will take further measures to boost rural enterprise and affordable housing. She welcomed specific recommendations to ensure that planning policy on economic development reflects the needs of rural areas, as well as Taylor's proposal for positive planning to ensure that larger settlements maximise sustainability and design quality.
Flint said: “It’s simply not fair that people in rural communities struggle to afford a place of their own. I am determined that we do everything we can to further help people in rural communities into home ownership, by for example helping landowners to establish community land trusts and by ensuring councils deliver the sustainable homes their communities need.”
Rural Affairs Minister Jonathan Shaw said: “The Government is committed to rural communities - Defra's £3.9billion investment in rural development in England shows that we want to see businesses, jobs and services in the countryside flourish.”
Ministers will look at the recommendations in detail and give them careful consideration before publishing a full response later in the year.
The Government has a national target to deliver 10,300 new affordable homes in smaller rural communities (less than 3,000) over the next three years – part of £8.4bn pledged under its biggest ever affordable housing drive. Funding is also now based on completions to ensure homes are delivered.
Shaw added: “In 2003 we introduced a new option for billing authorities to give less than 50 percent discount to second home owners. This has been widely adopted, eased the burdens on permanent residents, and ensured that second home owners make an appropriate contribution to the areas they enjoy.
“It has meant that last year 251 councils across England have had approximately £100million of additional revenue to spend as they see fit according to local priorities – which could include provision of affordable homes for local residents.”
