Second homes debate heating up in hotspot Blakeney

A growing number of communities in popular coastal areas are bringing in restrictions on the properties, amid fears they are making housing unaffordable for locals and are creating 'ghost towns', with homes left empty for long periods.

But many argue that second homes and holiday lets are vital for the economy of remote rural areas and that their owners are vital members of the local communities.

And between the two sides of the argument, tempers are fraying.

Blakeney Quay (Image: Newsquest)

In Burnham Market - where a referendum saw approval for plans to put conditions on new developments requiring them to be 'principal residences' and a ban on existing homes being turned into holiday retreats - businesses have accused local 'extremists' of stirring up antagonism against outsiders.

And in Blakeney, where a similar vote has just passed, such tensions are also simmering.

For Josh Leuw, a 35-year-old painter, the issue is personal.

Josh Leuw, a 35-year-old painter, grew up in and around Blakeney (Image: Bruno Brown)

He grew up in the area but left because he was unable to afford a property.

“This is my home and I have thought about coming back but it’s so difficult to find places available to rent, let alone buy.

"I now live in Norwich, but that was only partly out of choice due to there simply being places available for me to live.

"Work opportunities are good there but there's plenty of painting work to maintain these homes here which I can't snap up on living an hour away.

“To give local people a chance at finding somewhere to live I wish sellers would enquire to see if people are actually going to be staying. 

“To emphasise the problem, there is only one person from my primary school who still remains in Blakeney or Cley."

Marjorie Davies, 81, has ran The Kings Arms in Blakeney for 47 years (Image: Bruno Brown)

But Marjorie Davies, 81, landlady of the Kings Arms for 47 years, recognises the dilemma.

She understands the impact on younger locals but also the importance of tourism.

“I can’t grumble about the vast amounts of holiday homes, as lots of our trade comes from tourism.

“But now it’s clear that nobody can afford to buy around here, for young people especially, which is a deep shame."

Pictured is Marjorie Davies who work as a glamourous dancer at the Paul Raymond Revuebar in Soho in the 1950's and early 60's among other performance roles in the West End (Image: Submitted)The King's Arms at Blakeney. (Image: Denise Bradley)The former London West End actor said that many second homeowners did not do much to support local businesses and that holiday let visitors tended to do more.

“My main issue with the second home people is that contrary to what they say, they don’t support the local businesses.

"They have Waitrose deliveries and Morrisons' vans here, blocking the narrow streets. I'm shocked angrier locals than me haven't slashed the delivery drivers' tyres.

“Every member of my staff is local, and it gives me pride to give local people employment, and I couldn’t run this pub without them."Blakeney Quay (Image: Newsquest)

Seals sunbathing at Blakeney Point. (Image: Heather Hipson)

In the recent referendum, Blakeney locals passed a neighbourhood plan which stipulates new properties must be principal residences, with the onus on owners to prove that they live in them.

The vote was 141 to 16 (89.8pc) in favour of the conditions, which will now be considered by North Norfolk Disctrict Council when it decides future planning applications.

A total of 10 communities along the coast, on a virtually unbroken 30-mile stretch, have now introduced curbs or are in the process of doing so.

Rodger and Pauline Place of Burnham Market regularly visit Blakeney to see friends (Image: Bruno Brown)

But Rodger and Pauline Place, who live in Burnham Market but were visiting friends in Blakeney, said there could be consequences for local businesses.

"Like it or not tourists coming to the village do spend their money and without them, there wouldn’t be the footfall to make it sustainable for businesses to operate here," Mrs Place said.

"In the winter months, it is already quiet enough here, desolate. Are local people really out and about at the pubs, buying food, going on seal tours? I'm not sure they are.

"We feel it will be damaging to ban holiday homes altogether and in Burham Market we are aware that footfall numbers have reduced in the shops already."

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Anthony Woods, 79, lives four miles from Blakeney and visits at least twice a week (Image: Bruno Brown)

Anthony Woods, 79, lives in nearby Field Dalling but visits Blakeney for dinner at least twice a week and pops into the village store to buy essentials. He said action was needed.

"I think second home owners should be taxed higher because second homes which are not being used are threatening our village, no doubt," he said.

“I would introduce a rule that a second home must have to make sure there is occupancy outside of season, because it is a ghost town out of season, and I believe second homeowners only stay for X weeks to avoid paying council tax.

“My wife and I come to Blakeney at least two times a week, for dinner, and a walk, and we have noticed a huge shift over the years. 

“I am worried the place will lose its soul and identity if this issue carries on, it is a total injustice to the people who have grown up here."

Former teacher, Pete Thompson, 79, chairman of the Royal British Legion Club (Image: Bruno Brown)

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Blakeney born and bred resident, Pete Thompson, 79, who is chairman of the Royal British Legion Club, says he remembers when there were just three holiday lets in the village.

"In my youth when there were just three-holiday cottages in the village, and we knew them all.

"It was always exciting having guests visit the village. Me and my mates would love showing visitors what the village has to offer, especially the women.

"What is heartbreaking is that so many people who are from here simply cannot get hold of an opportunity to rent.

"It’s appalling, young people are trapped. Hospitality seems to be the only job opportunity for young people, they simply have to leave to pursue anything else.

"But it still is a fabulous place to live."

Blakeney sunset (Image: Paul Reynolds)

Late afternoon at Blakeney (Image: Lesley Buckley)Aerial view of Blakeney (Image: Mike Page)The Blakeney Hotel pictured from the Quay walkway (Image: Bruno Brown)