Could Neighbourhood plans help protect communities from 2nd homes?

Posted on: 7th May 2016
St Ives Neighbourhood Plan

St Ives Neighbourhood Plan supported at Referendum by the people of St Ives

Could Neighbourhood plans help protect communities from 2nd homes?

At a referendum last Thursday, 5 May there was a 83.2% vote in St Ives supporting the adoption of St Ives Area Neighbourhood Plan. As a majority of local residents supported the Plan this would normally mean it would become part of Cornwall Council’s planning regulations as part of the development plan.  However, Cornwall Council has received notice that RLT Built Environment Limited is seeking permission to judicially review the Council decision to support the publication of the St Ives Neighbourhood Plan and put it to a referendum in St Ives. Following the positive result of the referendum CC will be carefully considering the grounds on which the claim for the judicial review has been made and seeking further legal advice if required.  The Council are confident that the correct process has been followed in this case and will be fully defending this claim.

This is the section of the plan that local like but is the key aspect under challenge:

H2 Full Time Principal Residence Requirement New Open Market Housing without a restriction to ensure its occupation as a Full Time Principal Residence (occupied for at least 270 days per year) will not be permitted. Sufficient guarantee must be provided of such occupancy through the imposition of a planning condition. New second homes and holiday lets will not be permitted at any time.

This referendum outcome has put St Ives into the National spotlight! BBC report