Council welcomes landmark decision to uphold primary residence clause

A DEVELOPER has lost a bid to overturn a ban on second home owners so it can sell a ‘posh’ block of flats built in South Hams own ‘Chelsea-on-Sea’.

- by TOM BEVAN AND MILES O'LEARY

The four new-build homes in Salcombe have failed to sell and been left a ‘white elephant’ after being listed for £1.2 million - with claims it is because locals can't afford to live there.

Developer Valentine London had launched an appeal trying to overturn a ‘primary residence’ rule’ that was brought in to curb second home owners in towns such as Salcombe that have become overrun with holiday homes.

The condition applies to all new build dwellings, including the flats at Brewery Quay in Island Street.

But Valentine London has now had its appeal rejected by the Planning Inspectorate, which upheld the principal residency condition on all new builds in the town.

The decision was welcomed by locals, with Salcombe Town Council stating: “It's about keeping Salcombe a lived-in town, not just a postcard.”

In their decision, the inspector said removing the condition would “undermine” the purpose of the policy to “redress the balance of an unquestionably high proportion of second or holiday homes in Salcombe”.

In their conclusion, the inspector added that the condition was “reasonable and necessary in the interest of ensuring the properties are only occupied as a principal residence”.

Welcoming the announcement, the town council said: “We want our streets to stay alive all year round, the school well-used, neighbours sharing a coffee and local shops and services supported by residents who call Salcombe home.

“Other coastal communities, like us with a substantial visitor economy and many houses not permanently occupied, have been closely watching this appeal.