Naive to think that doubling council tax on second homes will solve coastal housing issues
North Yorkshire Council finds itself in an invidious situation with the doubling of council tax on second homes and holiday lets. It’s easy to be sympathetic to those that now face additional costs, many who have had to sell their holiday homes on the coast, but it is also worth remembering the widespread concerns of people who live in the region’s coastal towns year round.
These places have been experiencing a dangerous slide towards becoming seasonal ghost towns. Young families are unable to get on the housing ladder and set down roots. This then leads to schools and other services shutting down owing to a lack of demand. As councillor Simon Myers points out, there are 7,000 on the housing waiting lists.
The intention behind the second homes tax is understandable but well-meaning policy still requires refinement sometimes. The plight of second home owners that own dwellings that are only really suitable as holiday homes needs to be considered.
It is naive to think that simply doubling council tax will solve the issues that are affecting Yorkshire’s coastal communities.
Second home owners that are letting out their property will charge holiday makers more as a result of the doubling of council tax.
Tourism is worth billions to Yorkshire. It is important not to spook the tourists that support the region’s seaside economy. The last thing local businesses need is for their customer base to shrink further.
Tax cannot be used as a blunt instrument. What is required is a rounded housing strategy that ensures local population needs are being met. A strategy that delivers suitable homes for families. Homes that are supported with proper infrastructure including transport links that make it easy to bring up a family in coastal towns.