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Developer seeks to overturn second homes ban

BBC A three storey building overlooking an inlet with a boatyard to one side and another building to the other with tables and chairs on the ground floor and houses behind.BBC
Rules mean the flats at Brewery Quay in Island Street, are for sale only to people who live in Salcombe

People in seaside town Salcombe are fighting a developer's bid to overturn a ban on four new luxury flats being sold as second homes.

A principal residency condition on all new build dwellings in the popular holiday town means the flats at Brewery Quay in Island Street are for sale only to people who live there.

Developer Valentine London says the condition has made the flats "unsaleable" because potential buyers are put off.

But residents of the town, dubbed Chelsea by Sea, say overturning the ban would create a "dangerous precedent" in holiday towns like Salcombe where nearly half of all dwellings are already second homes or holiday lets.

An inlet with a row of dinghies tied up along a pontoon on one side and a row of buildings, some industrial looking on the right.
Salcombe Town Council argues a change in the condition would set a dangerous precedent

The flats, with asking prices up to £1.2m, overlook an estuary inlet alongside boatbuilders, industrial units and homes.

South Hams District Council (SHDC) refused an application to drop the principal residency condition earlier this year and an appeal is due to be heard on 26 November.

A letter to SHDC from agents for Valentine London says: "Whilst the applicant understands the community's reasons for wishing to introduce this restriction it has in this instance had the unintended effect of rendering the properties unsaleable."

It adds that the developer intends to make a financial "contribution" for affordable housing if the condition is removed.

'Hold the line'

District councillor Mark Long said: "What we're looking for is to try and balance things out so that we actually have a vibrant, viable community.

"We need people living here full time."

He said the developer's financial offer for affordable homes was "missing the point".

He said if the developer won, all areas with principal residence conditions would be at risk "right across the South West and around the country".

"And so I think it's important that we try and hold the line here."

Aerial view of Salcombe town with turquoise blue estuary and boats moored with a pontoon and jetties into the estuary from the town.
Salcombe is one of 12 places which have tried to curb the spread of second homes

'Dangerous precedent'

Salcombe Town Council said in its objection that "many other parishes are protected by similar policies and any deviation would set a dangerous precedent in and beyond Salcombe".

"This policy must be vigorously upheld," it said.

There are 12 parishes in the South Hams which have also adopted principal residency conditions "to achieve sustainable communities", alongside towns like St Ives in Cornwall.

SHDC confirmed that no principal residency conditions in the area had been broken by developers yet.

Valentine London has been approached for comment.

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