'Local people are being priced out of their communities': Richard Foord MP calls on government to curb holiday lets in Devon

Richard Foord, the MP for Tiverton and Honiton, has called on the government to take action to restrict the growth of holiday lets in Devon. 

In Devon there are 8,000 properties which are available for holiday rentals and the number listed grew by a third between 2017 and 2018. 

Speaking in Parliament, the MP urged the government to publish the findings of their review into the usage of Airbnbs and short-term holiday lets in Devon, which was conducted in June this year. 

Mr Foord is concerned about the impact holiday lets have on local housing markets, especially at a time when people are struggling to find affordable homes to either buy or rent long term. According to Mr Foord, more needs to be done to support local people. 

"Here in the West Country our communities are being put under pressure by the growth of short-term holiday lets. There are more than 11,000 short-term lets, such as Airbnb, in Devon alone - and this is affecting local communities.

"I have many constituents contacting me about their difficulty finding local homes to buy or rent, and they find it galling just how many properties are being snapped up as holiday homes or investment opportunities.

"Earlier this year there were just three homes available in all of Honiton for private rent. It's clear to me that we need more affordable homes for local people, not more Airbnbs and short-term lets.

"The Government said it would carry out a review into short-term lets months ago, but disappointingly has not yet published the findings. I simply don't see what they are waiting for.

"They should publish the review in full as soon as possible, and act upon its findings to ensure our towns and villages can continue to thrive - without local people being priced out of their own community."