Michael Gove announces holiday lets could require new permissions in bid to stop second homes ‘pushing out’ locals
Second homeowners could require planning permission if they want to use their property as a holiday let in a tourist hotspot in England, under new government proposals intended to prioritise “desperate” local families looking for a home.
A consultation has been launched on the plan, along with the suggestion of a registration scheme for holiday lets to gather data and increase understanding of the impact of short-term accommodation on communities.
Michael Gove, the levelling up secretary, said the move would help support local people in areas where high numbers of holiday lets are preventing them from finding affordable housing.
But his predecessor in the role, Tory MP Simon Clarke, criticised the plan, calling it “anti-business” and saying the priority for government should be building more homes.
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The proposals – announced three weeks before the local elections – suggest creating a new planning use class for short-term lets that are not used as a sole or main home, though local councils would be able to decide whether to introduce the measure or not.
The consultation will also consider whether homeowners could let out their properties for a specific number of nights in a year before the requirement for planning permission kicks in.
The rules could be introduced as part of the government’s Levelling Up and Regeneration Bill that is currently making its way through parliament – depending on the consultation’s outcome – and would only apply to second homes in England.
Mr Gove said: “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.”
Michael Gove
Mr Clarke attacked the move on Twitter, saying: “So many of our interventions in the housing market, from anti-business ones like this to [very] costly demand-side subsidies like Help to Buy, stem from our failure to build enough homes, and to make the argument to the public about why this matters.”
His criticism was shared on social media by Robert Jenrick – another former Tory housing secretary, but one who now serves in government as the immigration minister.
But another Tory MP Steve Double, who represents St Austell and Newquay, insisted the plan was necessary, telling Sky News: “Too many local people in Cornwall have been unable to secure the housing they need due to the number of residential properties converter to holiday lets.
“This has meant that businesses and public services have struggled to recruit the staff they need as people cannot find anywhere to live.
“These measures will enable the local council to better manage the number of holiday lets and help ensure local people can access the houses they need.”
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Asked if she would support the plan, Labour’s Angela Rayner said there were bigger issues in the wider housing market causing problems for those looking to own their own homes.
She told Sky News: “I think we’ve got to solve the situation that we currently face in this country where many people can’t get on the housing ladder and actually [the high rents] that are stopping rental accommodation now.
“Most people are now worried that they won’t even be able to afford to get a mortgage because mortgages have increased because of the disastrous budget that Liz Truss and the Conservatives put to the country recently.”
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Angela Rayner also defended Labour’s attack ads
Ms Rayner said a Labour government would create more homes, including social homes, and give first-time buyers “first dibs” on newly built properties to help them onto the ladder.
The Labour-run Welsh government has already introduced a series of measures to make housing more affordable for people to rent or buy in their local areas.
It includes allowing councils to charge a premium of up to 300% on second-home council tax bills.
Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch has called on Sir Keir Starmer to sack Treasury minister Tulip Siddiq over allegations she lived in properties linked to allies of her aunt, Sheikh Hasina, the deposed prime minister of Bangladesh.
It comes after the current Bangladeshi leader, Muhammad Yunus, said London properties used by Ms Siddiq should be investigated.
He told the Sunday Times the properties should be handed back to his government if they were acquired through “plain robbery”.
Tory leader Ms Badenoch said: “It’s time for Keir Starmer to sack Tulip Siddiq.
“He appointed his personal friend as anti-corruption minister and she is accused herself of corruption.
“Now the government of Bangladesh is raising serious concerns about her links to the regime of Sheikh Hasina.”
Ms Siddiq insists she has “done nothing wrong”.
Her aunt was ousted from office in August following an uprising against her 20-year leadership and fled to India.
Ms Siddiq is also named with her aunt in Bangladesh court documents about meetings with the Russian government.
Tory leader Kemi Badenoch has called on Sir Keir to sack the minister
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As economic secretary to the Treasury, Ms Siddiq is responsible for policy on both the City and tackling corruption.
She referred herself to the prime minister’s ethics watchdog on Monday following the reports about the properties.
On the same day, the prime minister said: “Tulip Siddiq has acted entirely properly by referring herself to the independent adviser, as she’s now done, and that’s why we brought into being the new code.
“It’s to allow ministers to ask the adviser to establish the facts, and yes, I’ve got confidence in her, and that’s the process that will now be happening.”
Police in Aberdeen have widened the search area for two sisters who disappeared four days ago in the city.
Eliza and Henrietta Huszti, both 32, were last seen on CCTV on Market Street after leaving their home on Tuesday at around 2.12am.
The sisters – who are part of a set of triplets and originally from Hungary – crossed the Victoria Bridge to the Torry area and turned right on to a footpath next to the River Dee.
Eliza and Henrietta Huszti were last seen on CCTV in Market Street. Pic: Police Scotland/PA
They headed in the direction of Aberdeen Boat Club but officers said there is no evidence to suggest the missing women left the immediate area.
Specialist search teams, police dogs and a marine unit have been trying to trace the pair.
The sisters crossed Victoria Bridge before walking along a footpath next to the River Dee
The pair were heading in the direction of Aberdeen Boat Club on the south side of the River Dee
Further searches are being carried out towards the Port of Aberdeen’s South Harbour and Duthie Park.
Police Scotland said it is liaising with authorities in Hungary to support the relatives of the two sisters.
Chief Inspector Darren Bruce said: “Eliza and Henrietta’s family are understandably extremely worried about them and we are working tirelessly to find them.
“We are seriously concerned about them and have significant resources dedicated to the inquiry.”
The sisters, from Aberdeen city centre, are described as slim with long brown hair.
Henrietta Huszti. Pic: Police Scotland
Eliza Huszti. Pic: Police Scotland
Officers have requested businesses in and around the South Esplanade and Menzies Road area to review their CCTV footage for the early morning of Tuesday 7 January.
Police added they are keen to hear from anyone with dashcam footage from that time.
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