MP meets Campaign for National Parks to make the case for controls on second homes

Local MP Tim Farron has raised the issue of excessive second home ownership during a meeting with the Campaign for National Parks in Parliament.

Speaking with the organisation's policy and research manager, Ruth Bradshaw, Tim made the case that local authorities should be able to significantly increase council tax on second homes as a way of raising funds which could be ring-fenced to fund key local services and deliver affordable homes for lower income families.

Around 7.5% of properties in South Lakeland are currently second homes.

Tim said: "It was great to meet with Ruth and discuss the challenges that the Lake District currently faces.

"One of the biggest issues that exists in our communities is second home ownership.

"When you've got so many homes not lived in it means you've not got people sending their kids to the local school, using the post office or the bus services. Then you end up with the risk of losing those services because they're no longer viable.

"The high level of second home ownership also inflates the prices of housing locally and further restricts the opportunity for young people who grew up here to be able to get a foot on the housing ladder.

"I'm glad that the Campaign for National Parks have been raising awareness of this issue and support our idea of raising council tax on second homes so that local families aren't forced to move away."