Torbay’s MP Kevin Foster has welcomed last week’s publication by the Government of two consultations relating to short-term lets.
The first proposes introducing a requirement to seek planning permission for an existing home to start being used as a short term let. An appropriate level of such accommodation can provide a choice and facilities for visitors. Yet in recent years there has been evidence growing numbers in popular coastal locations, such as Torbay, have impacted on the local housing supply. This has included local families being evicted from what had been their home to create a new holiday let.
The second is a consultation on a new registration scheme for short-term lets. The proposed scheme aims to build a picture of how many short-term lets there are and where they are located, to help understand the impact of short-term lets on communities. This consultation follows a call for evidence held earlier in the year, the results of which were published today by the Government and indicate broad support for a registration scheme across the sector.
Given the experiences in Torbay, with a growing number of what were family homes converting to short term lets, Kevin backed an amendment calling for Planning Permission to be required as part of the consideration of the Levelling up Bill last year. Reacting to the news of the consultations being launched Kevin Foster MP said: “The launch of these consultations is welcome news. I would encourage all involved in our bay’s tourism and housing sector to respond to them.”
“An appropriate level of short-term lets can create choice and attract visitors. Yet seeing families evicted from their homes to create holiday accommodation is unacceptable. Requiring planning permission will give local communities an opportunity to decide what is the right balance in their area, whilst protecting what are family homes and ensuring new housing developments cannot become a new holiday park. Registration will also help keep track of where these properties are and ensure appropriate standards are being met.”
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