Tougher rules could come into force to restrict second homes and holiday lets |
Norfolk's district councils are watching developments closely in the north Wales county of Gwynedd, after officials introduced tough planning rules.
The policy, brought in six months ago, requires people to gain permission to turn a property into a second home or holiday let by applying for a change of use.
Porthmadogg, a town in Gwynedd, North Wales (Image: Skinsmoke/Wikimedia Commons)
The scheme also works in reverse, so a second home would need the same permissions to be turned back into a main residence.
It has already proved hugely controversial and Gwynedd County Council remains locked in a legal battle over the legislation.
But in north Norfolk, where in some villages more than half of the properties are second homes, officials are watching closely to see if similar restrictions could be successful locally.
Andrew Brown, cabinet member for planning at North Norfolk District Council (Image: North Norfolk District Council)
Andrew Brown, cabinet member for planning at the Liberal Democrat-controlled council, said: "We are keeping an eye on this to see how this operates.
"If there are not any unintended consequences, we would be prepared to follow suit.........