Dr Neil Hudson MP supports new rules to give communities in tourist hot spots greater control over short-term holiday lets.
Aimed at protecting local people and supporting tourism, the proposed measures will greatly impact Dr Hudson’s constituency of Penrith and The Border which supports a large visitor economy.
A consultation published recently by the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities will propose introducing planning permission for an existing home to start to be used as a short term let – helping support local people in areas where high numbers of holiday lets are preventing them from finding affordable housing. It will also consider whether to give owners flexibility to let out their home for up to a specified number of nights in a calendar year without the need for planning permission.
While short-term lets now account for a significant chunk of the UK’s visitor economy, allowing increased flexibility and choice, the Government wants to ensure local communities are protected with affordable housing to rent or buy. Dr Hudson has long supported these fairer measures and has worked hard behind the scenes with tourism ministers to see this policy come to fruition.
Dr Neil Hudson, MP for Penrith and The Border, said:
“I really would urge local people who have long suffered the negative effects of short-term holiday lets to get involved and have their say. It is so important that local communities are in the driving seat when it comes to property usage.
“These proposals could greatly benefit areas in Penrith and The Border where local people can all too often find themselves priced out of the communities they live and work in.
“This is not about stamping out short-term lets completely but striking a balance that works for communities and is supported by local people. Short-term lets can provide working people with a valuable source of income and I know of local people who rent out their homes when they go on holiday. However, implementing sensible planning measures would rightly prioritise local families and I fully support the Government’s plan.”
To have your say on the potential introduction of a use class for short term lets and associated permitted development rights, please visit: www.gov.uk/government/consultations/introduction-of-a-use-class-for-short-term-lets-and-associated-permitted-development-rights
The new proposals come as the Department for Culture Media and Sport also launches a separate consultation on a new registration scheme for short-term lets.
The 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.
The DCMS consultation follows a call for evidence held earlier in the year, the results of which are published today and indicate broad support for a registration scheme across the sector.
A link to the consultation can be found here: www.gov.uk/government/consultations/consultation-on-a-registration-scheme-for-short-term-lets-in-england
The register of short term lets is being introduced through the Levelling Up and Regeneration Bill, which is currently going through Parliament.
Subject to the outcome of the consultation, the planning changes would be introduced through secondary legislation later in the year and would apply in England only.
Secretary of State for Levelling Up Housing and Communities, Michael Gove added:
“Tourism brings many benefits to our economy but in too many communities we have seen local people pushed out of cherished towns, cities and villages by huge numbers of short-term lets.
“I’m determined that we ensure that more people have access to local homes at affordable prices, and that we prioritise families desperate to rent or buy a home of their own close to where they work.
“I have listened to representations from MPs in tourist hot spots and am pleased to launch this consultation to introduce a requirement for planning permissions for short term lets.”
