Short-term Holiday Lets: Planning

Mr. Mangnall discussed the balance between short-term lets and long-term housing needs, highlighting that 13,363 second homes in Devon have increased by 11% from last year, with 3,454 Airbnb listings in his constituency of Totnes. He emphasized the need to encourage more people to offer housing for long-term rental, noting that only 34 affordable properties are available on Rightmove. I congratulated Cherilyn Mackrory on the proposals put forward in Edinburgh and asked about forecasts regarding the impact of these measures on the long-term letting market. He questioned Labour's stance on determining the appropriate level of short-term lets in communities.

I highlighted the eviction of families due to property flipping from long-term letting to short-term holiday lets, exacerbated by covid. Cornwall Council is building over 1,000 homes annually and has been at the forefront in asking for consultations on registering second homes and changing planning rules around short-term holiday lets. The influx of people during summer puts extra pressure on NHS and police services.

I am grateful to the hon. Member for making those points and for giving way. He will be aware that platforms such as Airbnb have been calling for a register of short-term lets for a long time. Does he agree that a register is precisely what the industry wants because that would allow it effectively to nick properties from other platforms? However, what communities need is their local planning authorities to have the powers to decide on the number of short-term lets and whether to renew licences when there has been antisocial behaviour.

Tourism is vital for constituencies like Cornwall, but the growth of short-term holiday lets has led to a shortage of homes. Prices are out of reach for local residents and businesses struggle to attract staff due to high housing costs. Local authorities need more power to protect communities from excessive short-term lets.

Duncan Baker highlighted the significant issue of second homes and holiday lets in North Norfolk, where nearly 9.8% of all homes are designated as such. He stated that around 3,000 holiday lets exist in his constituency, with areas like Wells-next-the-Sea seeing up to 40% of homes used for short-term letting. Baker emphasized the strain this places on local housing and employment sectors, noting the need for practical solutions beyond restrictive measures.

Jim Shannon praised the beauty and potential of Strangford for tourism, advocating for short-term holiday lets to boost local economies. He highlighted a specific case where an application was initially denied but later approved due to its contribution to tourism goals. Shannon stressed the importance of considering tourism benefits in planning decisions.

She highlighted the impact of short-term let properties on housing markets in Edinburgh, noting that Scotland has implemented a registration scheme and licensing rules for such properties. She mentioned challenges faced by key workers and students due to soaring rents, particularly in tourist hotspots and rural areas. Concerns were raised about the strain on local services, including health care, as well as issues of safety and community disruption caused by short-term lets.

Pollard discussed the housing crisis in rural and coastal communities, noting that second homes and holiday lets have increased rents and made it difficult for locals to find affordable housing. He suggested a ban on section 21 evictions, increasing council tax powers, implementing licensing schemes with caps and floors, and establishing a fund to support local infrastructure through levies on empty second homes. The contribution of Luke Pollard was praised by Matthew Pennycook, highlighting the need for urgent action in regulating short-term holiday lets.

The surge in short-term holiday lets has created significant challenges for communities, including high visitor turnover, anti-social behaviour, unaffordable homes, and a lack of local services. The deregulation of the sector is problematic, requiring a regulatory overhaul to protect community sustainability. London was particularly affected by the Deregulation Act 2015, which allowed properties to be let without planning permission for up to 90 days per year. Asked the Minister whether she is concerned about the Government's failure to meet their derisory target for affordable homes in rural areas.

Will the hon. Member give way? Mr. Foord briefly intervened, seeking to address an issue or question raised by Mr. Farron.

Does my hon. Friend agree that in addition to the work within the Department it is vital that the Treasury looks to rebalance the tax inequalities between long-term and short-term rental if we are to secure places for people to live in our beautiful constituencies?

Simon Jupp discussed the need for balance in East Devon between short-term holiday lets and long-term housing needs. He highlighted the benefits of tourism but also pointed out the challenges faced by local residents due to high property prices and difficulty in finding affordable homes. Jupp welcomed government measures such as higher stamp duty rates and plans for a registration scheme, while suggesting additional policies like reserving new builds for locals with family or economic ties.

Mr. Farron highlighted the issue of short-term lets in Cumbria, emphasizing that the region values its tourism economy which generates £3.5 billion annually and supports 60,000 jobs. He pointed out a housing catastrophe affecting communities, with three principal causes: lack of affordable homes, excessive second home ownership, and a short-term rental market that has displaced long-term rentals. Statistics were provided showing a significant increase in second home purchases during the stamp duty holiday period and a drastic decrease in long-term rental properties available for local residents. Tim Farron's call for bold action on short-term holiday lets was acknowledged by Matthew Pennycook as a critical perspective during the debate.