Far too many second homes in Whitby

THE Yorkshire Post columnist Christa Ackroyd gives a good argument for justifying having a holiday apartment in Whitby, but in my opinion it is denying a young local person staying with their ‘roots’ by not being able to live in the town they were born or grew up in.

Buyers of second homes do help to ‘drive up’ the price of property in sought-after towns.

Why shouldn’t council tax be double the amount for second home owners like Christa Ackroyd who is receiving income for up to 40 weeks of the year? Surely this is a commercial venture?

Are the holidaymakers supporting the local community life by mixing in with local groups, other than having a few meals in the restaurants and pubs? Most will use it as a base to visit other local attractions like Robin Hoods Bay.

Granted it will provide seasonal employment in the hospitality industry for some during the summer.

The number of second holiday homes in popular places like Whitby is far too many as it stands.

From: Andy Clegg, Normanton, Wakefield.

AS a long-standing visitor to Whitby, I read with interest Christa Ackroyd’s article in last Saturday’s Yorkshire Post about second home ownership in the town.

Whitby relies on tourism following the demise of the fishing industry. Without the availability of holiday homes I would not have been able to spend many a glorious holiday there, supporting the local economy through eating out, having a pint of locally brewed beer or shopping in one of the many independent shops.

Thousands like me will do the same. You only have to go a short drive out of the town centre and there are examples of shared ownership property with probably the best views in the country.

Towns like Whitby need to find a balance, but the people who have invested in the town and bought tourists into the area should not be turned into social pariahs. I for one will be back up this autumn staying in a holiday apartment and again enjoying all Whitby has to offer.