Plans for a new holiday home rule in Cornwall has been met with concern as to how it will be enforced – and whether or not it will deter tourists. The new regulation will force people to get permission from the council to rent their homes out for short breaks.
The idea has been tabled by government, with Michael Gove overseeing it with the main aim to make it easier for local people to find a place to live. Anyone wanting to rent their home for more than 90 nights a year will need to get it signed off by the council.
The new changes are focused on short-term lets and will not affect hotels, hostels or B&Bs, the local authority said.
Nonetheless, the proposal has split opinion among residents, with some saying it’s good because it might help locals get houses, but others worry it could make holidays more expensive and have queried its enforcement.
One resident, named only as Mr Lister, said: “So with planning permission needed, more inspections and hey presto before you know a new tax on holiday lets resulting on dearer holidays. For a county that relies on summer money, it seems to be determined to ruin it.”
Northcoastpirate added: “Who will enforce this legislation?? I can’t see overworked and under-resourced council staff having the capacity to take on more.”
Kernowmaid1 said: “It won’t work, there will still be too many loopholes to slip through. The powers that be are intent on over-developing Cornwall to create a millionaires’ playground. It is scandalous that there are so many people waiting for housing.”
The opinions were shared with CornwallLive who asked residents how they felt about the plans which will ultimately affect the local government.
A local named Colinfromcornwall continued: “The leader of Cornwall Council has welcomed the proposals to tackle the “escalating” number of holiday lets in the county and yet it’s her council who approves the same in the first place.”
Others welcomed the proposal but said it was “about 10 years too late” – and urged the decision to go through, but with five years of backdating.
Leader of Cornwall Council Cllr Linda Taylor said: “As a council we continue to do all we can to support residents to find the homes they need – from building and buying more homes to working with government to introduce double council tax on second homeowners.
“This initiative to limit the number of holiday lets through the planning process is very welcome as another way we can support our residents in finding a secure home.”
