SECOND HOMES IN YORKSHIRE DALES NATIONAL PARK

Early day motion 830, tabled 22 January 2018 by Tim Farron (Liberal Democrat). Signed by 2 members.

That this House acknowledges the effect the rapid increase in second home ownership can have on rural communities, including the decline and closure of key local services and amenities; recognises that the high level of second home ownership inflates the prices of housing locally and further restricts the opportunity for young people to be able to get a foot on the housing ladder; welcomes the decision by the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority to become the first local authority in the country to formally offer to trial a scheme which would significantly increase council tax on second homes in the park; believes this would provide councils in areas with high second-home ownership with a fair and effective way of raising money to fund key local services and deliver affordable homes for lower income families; and calls on the Government to give local councils the power to increase significantly council tax on second homes.

Signatures by party: Liberal Democrat 1, Plaid Cymru 1.