Council’s plan to double tax on second homes

Council tax payable on second homes in North Yorkshire could double as efforts are made to tackle a shortage of affordable housing in the area.

North Yorkshire county council’s executive has voted to impose a 100 per cent premium on the bills within two years. The proposal will be considered at a full council meeting in November and, if it is passed, the county will become one of the first in the UK to adopt Government measures that aim to free up homes for local people to use.

Backers hope the more than £14million that could be raised by the premium annually will be used to build houses in areas in desperate need.