Tory let down on second home controls
Liberal Democrat efforts to tackle the spread of second homes across Cornwall again met resistance from Conservative politicians last night, as former North Cornwall MP, Lord Tyler, proposed new planning law to deal with the problem.
Speaking in a debate on the Government’s Planning Bill, he said: “In those remote, scattered communities, which are very popular for second homes, there is a huge problem in need of urgent attention relating directly to the planning system…I remember one particular parish council area reaching well over 30 percent second homes…At that point the school is no longer viable; the post office and shop close…bus services collapse; police cover is reduced; and the health centre is removed. There is a ‘ghost village’ in winter.”
The Minister replied, “I wish I could give him more satisfaction on that, but I cannot…the problem is that second homes are usually normal dwelling houses…We are looking at Matthew Taylor’s report [on the rural economy and affordable housing] and we will publish a response later this year”.
The Conservative spokesman, Lord Dixon-Smith told Peers, “I have been trying quite hard to make a connection between that [second homes] and national infrastructure, but I may be rather less sympathetic than the Minister.”
Commenting after the debate, Lord Tyler said:
“The Government have their collective heads in the clouds. Second homes are already distinguished for tax purposes. Why not for planning purposes?
“But now the cat is out of the bag. We know the Conservatives can’t even see how second homes affect infrastructure, and are still less sympathetic than the Government.
“In the Lords, the Labour Party has no majority so we could make a difference on this issue if only Conservative Peers would co-operate. At every test, they take the side of second homes against local families seeking affordable homes.
“I will continue to work with Dan Rogerson, who led on this in the House of Commons, to persuade Ministers that it’s time something was done. It seems the Conservative Party is not even open to argument.”
North Cornwall’s MP, Dan Rogerson added:
“I’m grateful to Paul for raising this issue again in the House of Lords.
“As in the Commons, the Conservative Party have again shown their total complacency. We cannot, as they suggest, just stand aside and let more villages be deserted for the weekdays and the winters.
“Yet again David Cameron’s party has aligned itself with those who use Cornwall rather than those that live here.”
