THE SNP plan to impose restrictions on second-home ownership to make housing more accessible to young people in tourist hotspots.
If re-elected to lead the Scottish Government in May, the SNP intend to replicate the action taken by councils in Cornwall, where many locals were forced out of the market in popular areas by people buying second homes.
Cornish towns such as St Ives opted for a ban on second homes following a referendum in 2016 when 80% of locals voted for the measure.
Local authorities can take enforcement action if owners aren’t using homes as their principal residence.
The change is expected to prompt a tightening on planning permission in holiday destinations across the country, whereby new housing projects will only be allowed if they’re reserved for full-time residents.
A spokesperson for the SNP told The Times newspaper: “Second homes can cause issues for our local communities: affordability and accessibility for people who want to live and work in the area, or local businesses not being sustained because so many homes are left empty for much of the year.
READ MORE: Nicola Sturgeon defends independence when quizzed by Andrew Marr
“Second homes that are also used as short-term lets can also bring tourists to an area, which can be positive for jobs and local economies but too many can mean people can’t find a home in the area they live and work.”
There are approximately 25,000 second homes in Scotland.
Resultantly, locals are struggling to buy their first home in areas including the Isle of Skye, Argyll and Bute and the Western Isles.
Andy Wightman, who is standing for re-election on the Highlands and Islands regional list as an independent candidate, said: “If you want young folk to stay in areas where housing demand outstrips supply, this is best tackled by regulating the market.
“Priority should be for local people within designated housing pressure zones, and councils should be given pre-emption rights so that houses can be sold at a valuation set at the local housing market rate.”
Interest grew during the pandemic when many people hoped to retreat to their holiday homes.
Measures are already in place to discourage second-home buyers in 25 of Scotland’s 32 councils – where a 10% discount in council tax on second homes has been removed.
Holiday-home buyers also have to pay a dwelling supplement of 4% on top of the Land and Buildings Transaction Tax on the purchase price.
READ MORE: Nicola Sturgeon welcomes new poll as SNP tipped for Holyrood majority
A Cornish planning solicitor, Peter Edwards, said: “This is because very few aspiring second-home owners are willing to purchase such dwellings knowing they will be in breach of a planning condition that could, ultimately, lead to prosecution.
“Therefore, whatever potential difficulties there may be in taking planning enforcement action, such cases will be so unusual as to be largely irrelevant.”
Shelter Scotland’s assistant director, Gordon MacRae, said: “Ultimately the only solution to the rural housing emergency is to build more social and affordable homes.
“Every party in this election has committed to building more, now they must all deliver on that promise.”
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel