Ministers must extend holiday let crackdown to cover all second homes - MP

Cumbrian MP Tim Farron is calling on the Government to extend plans to curb short-term holiday lets to be extended to include all second homes.

Under proposals announced this morning, homeowners would need to get planning permission before converting properties into short-term holiday lets in tourist hotspots.

Tim has been a long time campaigner for this change in planning law and back in December brought forward an amendment to the Levelling Up and Regeneration Bill. This was defeated by Conservative MPs by 321 votes to 172.

Speaking today, Tim said: "I've been asking for the Government to do this for a long time now. They've been dragging their feet but I'm glad we are finally seeing some progress.

"If the Government don't crack on with this then we will see our communities die, with nowhere available for local people to raise a family or indeed for workers to be able to live so that our economy can operate.

"The Government have now opened this proposal up to public consultation. In my response to the consultation I will be making it very clear that these plans must extend to all second homes and I would strongly encourage local residents here in Westmorland to do the same."