Plans to turn holiday lets in North Creake into homes

Michael Lynch-Bell has applied for planning permission to change the use of the one-bed properties in a barn conversion on West Street, at North Creake, near Burnham Market.

In a planning statement, his agent says: "Since the pandemic there has been an increase in the provision of holiday lets to cater for the increased demand in UK-based holidays, although following the removal of restrictions imposed on foreign travel, this demand has tailed off.

Numbers of second homes and holiday lets have boomed on the Norfolk coast (Image: Chris Bishop)

"This has encouraged a plethora of holiday lets, particularly in villages within reasonable distance of the coast, which reduces housing availability for locals and pushes up house prices, ultimately impacting on the vitality of the villages."

READ MORE: Wells votes for new curbs on second homes and holiday lets

READ MORE: Look away now if you're a local - you can't afford to buy a house here

The statement says the previous government was considering amending planning rules to make it easier to turn holiday lets back into permanent homes.

Burnham Market, near North Creake, is one of Norfolk's best-known second home hotspots (Image: Chris Bishop)

"The reason for this change [was] to support local people in areas where high numbers of short-term lets are affecting affordability, both in purchasing and renting properties," it goes on.

The statement adds planning permission has been applied for due to uncertainty over whether the new government would implement the changes after the election.

"With the permanent occupation of both residential units as dwellings, these will represent a more sustainable development than short term holiday lets, particularly from a social perspective," it says.

Wells, where residents have recently voted for curbs on second homes (Image: Denise Bradley)

Communities along Norfolk's "lock-and-leave" coast have voted in neighbourhood plans which stipulate any new properties must be permanent residences.

It comes amid concerns the boom in second homes and holiday lets, which make up around half of properties in some areas was driving prices beyond the reach of local people.