Brighton may resort to second-home ban

BRIGHTON could become the first city in England to crack down on second homes after councillors ordered plans for a ban to be drafted.

Councillors have voted for rules to be drawn up to ban any new-build properties from becoming second homes or holiday lets.

The proposals would only apply to certain hotspots in Brighton & Hove where the city council says the housing crisis is most acute.

If the Green-led council goes ahead with the move, the East Sussex city would be by far the biggest area to impose such a ban.

The policy of applying covenants to new-builds requiring them to remain primary residences was pioneered by the fishing town of St Ives, Cornwall, in 2016.

Towns and villages across the South West have since followed suit and last week residents of the North Yorkshire seaside town of Whitby voted in favour of a ban.

Residents and business owners say that not only do second homes force up prices and squeeze out locals, but they make it impossible to bring in workers for the tourism industry.

However, it is unclear how effective second home bans have been. Critics say they create a two-tier market, driving up the price of older homes and pushing the problem elsewhere.

A report found as many as 3,000 properties in Brighton & Hove could be in use only as short-term holiday lets.

Marianna Ebel, a Green councillor, said: “We have to do something. We have a housing crisis and thousands of residents are on our housing waiting list.”

She continued: “When flats and houses are used for short-term holiday lets and second homes, it not only reduces the number of housing units but causes massive problems for neighbours, such as anti-social behaviour.”

Brighton & Hove city council did not respond to a request for comment on the move.