A senior Norfolk councillor has launched a scathing defence of the area’s second house levy, dismissing property brokers’ issues over falling property costs.
Terry Parish, former chief of West Norfolk Council and present councillor for Heacham, has hit out at brokers opposing the levy, which was launched to curb demand for second properties and deal with native housing pressures.
Parish, who performed a key function in bringing the coverage ahead throughout his tenure as council chief, criticised what he referred to as “whingeing” from property brokers who declare the levy is driving down home costs within the space.
He argued {that a} slowdown in property values, significantly for second properties, is a optimistic step for the native market. “A drop in costs needs to be applauded,” Parish mentioned, pointing to the necessity to make housing extra accessible for native residents.
The second house levy, launched as a part of wider reforms to ease housing pressures in tourist-heavy components of Norfolk, has sparked debate between policymakers and property professionals, with property brokers warning of potential value cuts of as much as 30% in some areas.
In an article for the Japanese Each day Press newspaper, he wrote:
“Home costs in second house hotspots are grossly inflated, which can profit property brokers, presently whingeing, however makes all of it however inconceivable for locals and their dependents to buy properties to really reside in and work from,” he mentioned.
“Second properties are hardly a necessity; having a house is. No matter will be performed to assist folks get a correct house needs to be accepted.”
Parish believes the coverage of charging double council tax on properties not used as everlasting residences may unencumber a whole lot of properties throughout the county, as homeowners could also be inspired to promote.
Along with the levy, a number of villages in Norfolk have launched planning situations to limit the sale of new-build properties to everlasting residents solely — a transfer aimed toward curbing the expansion of second house possession.
These restrictions are designed to prioritise native patrons and protect year-round communities in areas closely impacted by vacation properties and part-time residency.
“Why ought to acres of fields be ripped up if a big proportion of homes constructed on them change into second properties or vacation lets?” he added.
“The housing disaster used to justify authorities calls for to construct ever extra homes is meant to be about supplying properties for individuals who want them to reside in, not play in.
“The identical applies to all of the infill housing, which takes away gaps between properties and removes smaller inexperienced areas.”
It’ll additionally increase thousands and thousands of kilos in income for cash-strapped native authorities, with a good portion earmarked for the communities which have been ‘hollowed out’ by second properties.
“Authorities doesn’t fund native companies adequately and councils must garner cash from wherever they’ll,” Parish continued. “That’s why the federal government allowed a second house levy to be made and why I began that ball rolling in West Norfolk.”
Throughout Norfolk, there are reportedly 14,683 second properties, with 3,353 in West Norfolk, 5,973 in North Norfolk and three,005 in Nice Yarmouth.
