ADT - Press Reports on Second & Holiday Homes
Arran Development Trust response to recent press articles relating to Second & Holiday homes in Whitby:
GUARDIAN NEWSPAPER ARTICLE ON WHITBY:
https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2022/jun/14/whitby-votes-to-limit-sales-of-second-homes
Whilst the Arran Development Trust empathise entirely with the community in Whitby, we recognise the growing trend for second/holiday homes, pricing local residents out of the market and the resultant detrimental effect on local services. The ADT also recognise the second home/holiday home market is important to tourism areas and as such the ADT would rather support a less divisive approach, by advocating and introducing a financial contributory Second/Holiday Home Owners fund specifically raised primarily through rates levies on empty and second homes with the funds raised being spent in the specific area contributing.
For example; Arran has 40% of North Ayrshire Council second and empty homes, therefore Arran should receive 40% of the fund to spend on increasing the number of affordable homes on Arran.
Therefore additional, substantial area specific revenue would provide Affordable Homes for current full-time residents and contribute financially and directly into the local economy, easing the “them and us” culture which is appearing across the Scottish Islands and Rural areas.
Other related articles:
What if we banned all second homes? Melissa York Sunday, Times
https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/banned-all-second-homes-cornwall-whitby-st-ives-hb7ptqtrs
