A popular UK seaside town has been blighted by second home owners, leaving locals struggling to keep up with the cost of living, with many unable to afford to stay in the area.
The picturesque Cornish retreat of St Ives has been criticised for letting tourists and second homeowners drive up costs in the town.
St Ives, celebrated for its stunning scenery and cultural heritage, is a magnet for holidaymakers each year. Yet, residents are increasingly frustrated with the escalating prices of homes and local services.
Speaking to The Guardian, St Ives inhabitant Michael Bird said: “This beautiful town is buckling under the pressures of high-value overtourism and the relentless squeeze on what’s available for locals – the foundations, in other words, of sustainable community life.
“If you’re struggling to find a long-term residential let, let alone pay the rent, you’re not going to be able to cheer yourself up with a £29 seafood linguine from what was once an affordable local cafe.”
A 2016 referendum in St Ives saw a decisive move against second home ownership, with over 80% of voters endorsing a “principal residence” policy for new housing sales, reports the Express.
Despite this measure, the situation appears unchanged, leaving locals exasperated by the continued surge of second homeowners.
Community members had hoped that restrictions would ease their path to homeownership, yet many remain unable to afford it.
Local Ben Hodgkinson told the BBC: “Making housing affordable would be the number one challenge here. Local jobs are in short supply and wages are terrible.
“We wouldn’t be anywhere without tourism, but it pushes the prices up. It is a lovely place to be but lots of people can’t afford to stay here to live.”
On the flip side, the holiday letting website carbisbayhotels.co.uk is promoting the idea that now is an opportune moment to invest in a second home in St Ives, calling it a “sound investment”.
They said: “The market for staycations remains strong with 65% considering a stay in a holiday home this year and 56% considering two or more UK breaks.”
Despite Cornwall’s efforts to tackle the issue of second-home ownership affecting the affordability of housing, the problem persists.
Last year, Councillor Andrew Mitchell, representing the Halsetown Ward in St Ives, lambasted a developer at a council meeting for exploiting a legal loophole to convert hotel apartments into second homes.
He said: “A developer is hoping to steal from the community of St Ives at least 10-plus affordable homes which are due to this hotel being changed to apartments. It is not an aparthotel – it will never be an aparthotel.”