In 2021 South Hams District Council declared a housing crisis.  Local families and businesses will not thrive without local affordable housing.  House prices have escalated beyond the reach of most of our local workforce due to the premium second home market. The lack of a regular rural transport network is adding to the pressures faced by job-seekers and businesses alike.   Salcombe, Malborough and Thurlestone have the highest number of second homes per 1,000 homes in England.  The Office of National Statistics reveals that there were 171.9 holiday homes for every 1,000 homes in 2021.  In some areas there are also many empty homes that are not on the property rental market.  ​ However, holiday homes and visitors make significant contributions to our local economy. The hospitality and service industries rely on the seasonal peak in demand from this sector. This, in turn, provides job opportunities. Filling job vacancies is hard for many businesses because of the lack of affordable housing and an inadequate rural transport network. ​What is being done? From 1 April 2025, a premium of 100% will automatically be added to the SHDC Council Tax charge for second homes and empty homes. It is hoped that this will either encourage owners to make this their primary residence or (if it is an empty house) to rent the house out to a full time resident. Since April 2023, second homeowners in England have to prove holiday lets are being rented out for a minimum of 70 days a year, and are available to rent for at least 140 days, in order to qualify for small business rates relief. This needs to be carefully monitored to ensure that only genuine businesses are awarded this relief. We need to build more affordable housing and ensure that developers fulfil their contractual obligations under their planning permission consents - to build the affordable housing first - before building luxury holiday homes in their estate development. In March 2025, the council purchased three properties at the Holywell Meadow development in St Ann's Chapel, Bigbury, to be available to rent for local residents, demonstrating their commitment to addressing the housing crisis.  ​There is support available to identify local housing needs and find collaborative solutions.     Toolbox: South Hams Housing Offer,  SHDC Housing, Community Land Trust,  Devon County Council Housing,  Devon Home Choice, Citizens Advice on rented property,  Live West

Potholes are a symptom of the huge gaps in funding faced by Devon County Council.  It has recently been agreed that the distrct council revenue, from the doubling of SHDC council tax for second-home owners, will be used to get the pothole issue sorted.  The available workforce and priorities will still affect how quickly local problems are solved.  The involvement of local

Legally binding targets, for rivers in England to be restored to good health by 2027, will not be met unless we take responsibility and work together to solve the local problems.

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