Our pretty town is being ruined by tourists & second-home owners – they’ve taken over but now we’re getting our revenge
FUMING residents say their pretty town is being ruined by tourists and second-home owners – but now they’re getting their revenge.
Nearly half of all properties in Burnham Market on the north Norfolk coast are holiday lets or second homes.
The average price of a home there has surged by over £200,000 since 2011 – and is now £636,000.
But fed-up villagers are now mulling whether to curb the number of outsiders snapping up local houses.
They are set to vote on a proposal for a “principal residence condition” on all new properties – blocking any more second homes.
New holiday lets will also be banned under the plan – which the whole village will vote on in a referendum.
Seen by the Eastern Daily Press, the draft plan reads: “In recent decades, the demography of the parish has changed dramatically.
“Second homes and now furnished holiday lets account for almost half of the residential properties in the village.
“The increase in property prices and rents has meant that many local people are now unable to afford to either buy or rent a home in the parish.
“The number of furnished holiday lets and the impact this has on the community is a key concern.
“There is strong support for restricting second home ownership of any new properties.
“There is a sense that the community needs rebalancing – in relation to the properties being built, shops and services that are available, and the proportion of permanent residents compared to holiday makers.”
The referendum will take place in the village hall on Thursday – with the plan adopted if a majority of voters back it.
Fuming residents say second home owners are also ruining their seaside town – with no space left for them to park.