Homes and Planning Bill Debate
Full Debate: Read Full DebateDepartment: Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
Steff Aquarone
Main Page: Steff Aquarone (Liberal Democrat - North Norfolk)Department Debates - View all Steff Aquarone's debates with the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
Homes and Planning Bill
Steff Aquarone Excerpts(1 day, 6 hours ago)
Commons ChamberRead Full debate Read Hansard Text Read Debate Ministerial Extracts
Andrew George
I think the hon. Member misunderstands what this is about, and he also misunderstands what the Government’s proposal with regard to a licensing system would do and achieve. A licensing system is really just a bit of superficial dressing on the side, quite frankly, as far as actually getting to the nub of the issue. First off, a licensing system would apply only to holiday lets, not second homes, and would not give the local community any power to put a cap on the numbers within a particular area in order to manage the stock.
Steff Aquarone (North Norfolk) (LD)
My hon. Friend will know, as I do, that this is about not just the housing crisis, but communities. In Blakeney, in my constituency, four out of 10 houses are either second homes or holiday lets; this can have a devastating impact on community cohesion, particularly out of season. Does he agree that that is partly why his Bill is so important?
Andrew George
Yes, absolutely. The registration scheme is welcome—it will be a helpful side issue as far as actually addressing and getting to the nub of the problem.