The Government’s tourism minister has pledged to investigate how to curb the rising number of holiday lets in the Lake District and other popular destinations in the country.
Westmorland and Lonsdale MP Tim Farron told Chris Bryant that, while holiday lets played an important role in the Lake District economy, all too often tenants were being evicted so that homes could be turned into short-terms lets and Airbnbs.
Last year, the previous government proposed creating a new planning use class for short-term lets that were not used as a sole or main home.
However the new government are yet to announce whether they will take this forward.
Speaking during Culture, Media and Sport Questions in Parliament yesterday, Mr Farron said: “Holiday lets play an important part in the tourism economy; 20 million people visit the lakes every year, and they need somewhere to stay.
“Having said that, in the last five years especially, we have seen a gobbling-up of the long-term private rented sector and local people forced out by a massive growth in short-term lets.
“Will the minister speak more with the minister for housing and planning about how planning law can be changed, so that councils and national parks can put a limit on the number of short-term lets in the community, and take action on second homes, too?”
Mr Bryant replied: “I agree with every single thing the honourable member said, and I will do as he urges.”
