Councillors want second home tax spent on housing

Nearly half of all homes in Salcombe are either second homes or holiday lets

A row is brewing over what will happen to an expected cash bonanza from a new tax on second homes in Devon.

Councils will be able to charge 200% council tax on second homes from April 2025.

In Devon the majority of council tax goes to Devon County Council.

South Hams District Council members voted unanimously to lobby the county council for all of the extra second home tax revenue to be spent on affordable housing.

Nicky Hopwood, South Hams District Council member, wants to see extra second home tax spent on affordable housing

Nicky Hopwood, a Conservative councillor at South Hams District Council, said the money should be used "to help those who cannot afford to buy their own home".

She said she wanted to ensure "those who have been brought up in the South Hams can live and work in the South Hams”.

She brought a motion to discuss the issue at the South Hams District Council meeting on Thursday.

Councillors were told of a letter being sent from Devon County Council to all district council leaders which said the extra revenue would be spent on highways.

There are thought to be about 4,000 second homes in the South Hams area

Denise O'Callaghan, Liberal Democrat, said using the second homes tax to fix potholes would amount to "a betrayal" of people in Devon.

Devon County Council said it was aware of the issue being raised but had not yet made any decision on how the money would be spent.

In coastal resorts like Salcombe in the South Hams, nearly half of all the properties are either second homes or holiday lets.

When councillors voted to double council tax in February 2023 the then council leader said there were about 4,000 second homes in the South Hams area.