Cornwall Council Embraces New Government Regulations on Short-Term Holiday Lets

Cornwall Council has expressed its support for the UK government’s recent decision to implement new rules requiring planning permission for properties to be used as short-term lets. This development comes after an announcement by Michael Gove MP, Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, during his visit to St Agnes last week. The aim of these new regulations is to curb the proliferation of short-term holiday rentals.

Under the new guidelines, owners wishing to rent out their main or sole residence for more than 90 nights a year will now need to apply for planning permission. This measure is designed to assist communities where the abundance of short-term lets is impacting the ability of local people to find affordable rental or purchase options for homes.

Additionally, the establishment of a mandatory national register will aid local authorities by providing detailed information on the locations of short-term let properties. This is expected to facilitate better planning and regulation of such lets.

Cornwall Council’s portfolio holder for planning and housing, Olly Monk, highlighted the importance of these changes in addressing the housing crisis in Cornwall. He emphasised that while it is crucial to develop new social and affordable housing, ensuring that residents can find homes in their communities is equally important. Monk expressed optimism that these regulations would allow Cornwall’s tourism industry to thrive while also improving access to secure and affordable housing for locals.

Cllr Linda Taylor, Leader of Cornwall Council, also voiced her approval of the initiative. She outlined the council’s commitment to helping residents secure homes through various means, including increasing the council tax on second homeowners. Taylor believes that the new planning requirements will further assist in providing stable housing for Cornwall’s residents.

Secretary of State Michael Gove underscored the government’s concern over local communities being displaced due to the surge in short-term holiday lets. He asserted that the regulation is a step towards ensuring more affordable housing is available to locals, thereby supporting the economy and maintaining the vitality of the visitor economy.

The regulations are specifically directed at short-term rental properties and will not impact hotels, hostels, or B&Bs, ensuring a balanced approach to supporting both the housing needs of residents and the tourism industry.