UK NEWS

BROWN SET TO SLAP BAN ON SECOND HOMES

GORDON BROWN: Inquiry

Monday March 3,2008

By Gabriel Milland Political Correspondent

Comment Speech Bubble Have your say(6)

MINISTERS are planning to stop outsiders buying second homes in sought-after parts of the country.

An inquiry backed by Gordon Brown is set to recommend that local councils win the right to block sales in regions like the Lake District and Cornwall.

The new regulations mean that anyone trying to buy a holiday home will have to apply for planning permission to change the property from a permanent residence to a temporary one.

A simple ban on outsiders could also be introduced. But the moves are set to outrage many looking for their perfect bolt-hole – and will push up the price of homes that are already second residences.

The plans are despite changes in capital gains tax which have cut the amount that must be paid on sales of second homes.

The move will not affect sites like caravan parks which have already been set up as holiday destinations.

The effect will be a reduction in the supply of houses in counties like Cornwall, Devon and Norfolk that are available as second homes.

Up to half of all properties in the most desirable villages belong to second home owners, leading to the closure of schools and shutting of public services outside peak season.

Matthew Taylor, the Liberal Democrat MP for Truro and St Austell in Cornwall who was invited by Mr Brown to lead the inquiry, 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 per cent, 40 per cent or 50 per cent of the village is dark most of the year. It raises huge issues for the sustainability of the community.” The necessary legal changes could be introduced through amendments to the Government’s Planning Bill.

Councils would have a choice on whether to use the new powers or not. Restrictions would not apply to properties now being used as second homes.

Shadow Housing Minister Grant Shapps said:“Mr Brown sees a problem and imagines that the only solution is to pass a law – but as usual he hasn’t thought it through. A better solution would be to expand schemes designed to help local people, like community land trusts, which can be designed to provide housing for people with local roots.”

BET MP'S ARE EXEMPT.

03.03.08, 5:59pm

You can bet your arse, MP's will be exempt.
One rule for them, another for us, difference being of course that we work our butts off to pay for THEIR SECOND homes.

• Posted by: Jac16 • Report Comment

DO AS I SAY NOT AS I DO

03.03.08, 5:31pm

Here we go again ban this and ban that. Work hard all your life and this miserable scots git will want to take anything you have off you. Its like living in the USSR.

• Posted by: Col • Report Comment

BAN IT BROWN THE COMPLETE HYPOCRITE!!!

03.03.08, 1:00pm

What a country this septic Isle has become. We ban everything that this looney government cant manage or handle, and what hypocracy, whilst MP's are being drawn over the coals for second houses a plenty, that those people who actually work for thire second home are banned from it by this bunch of cynical muppets. Mr Brown you are a liar, you are a cheat, you are a deciever, you are unelected, you are a hypocrite, and you also happen to be the prime minister by default, how dare you you sancimonious piece of work.

• Posted by: Russell42 • Report Comment

SECOND HOMES

03.03.08, 11:55am

one question please, will MPs and the PM be exempt as the are with everything else ??????????????????????
prepared to make a bet

• Posted by: ANNR • Report Comment

BROWN SET TO SLAP BAN ON SECOND HOMES

03.03.08, 8:57am

He mustn't forget his own second home/homes particularly the London flat he claims £20K a year expenses on, while freeloading in Downing street for the last 11 years.....

• Posted by: TicToc • Report Comment

STOP ALL SECOND HOMES AND SEE MP'S SHOUT

03.03.08, 1:36am

He should stop all second homes in all areas unless the buyer is a registered landlord letting the properties full time and keeping them to a good standard, this would hurt MP's mostas most of them have several homes.

• Posted by: CAN • Report Comment