Shadow Secretary and MP call for the creation of a maximum limit on second homes in rural areas

2.13.18pm GMT Thu 15th Feb 2007

Andrew Stunell MP, the Lib Dem shadow secretary of state for local government and housing, joined Tim Farron MP and District Councillors Sylvia Emmott and Gill Cranwell today to support an appeal to create a maximum limit on second home ownership in rural villages and towns.

Together with 'My New Roof' estate agency manager Kev Edwards, second home ownership was discussed. It was made clear that the increase in the number of second homes locally was having a disastrous effect on rural sustainability and community life.

Tim said: "The opportunity to discuss this initiative with Andrew was a real bonus. The campaign to limit the number of second homes is something I began by submitting a parliamentary motion a year ago, to make the government understand the distortions caused to rural housing markets by high levels of second home ownership. These high levels can exclude local people from buying a home in their community, having a negative impact on schools, post offices, and public transport."

In his campaign, Tim is pushing for three main initiatives. Firstly he wants to allow local communities to have the powers to set the balance between affordable and second homes. Secondly, for planning law to be amended to make transferring the use of a property from a main home to a second home a formal change of use, and thirdly, for local authorities to be allowed to levy business rates on second homes in their areas.