The housing crisis in St Ives, Cornwall, is a complex issue that has far-reaching implications for its young residents. This coastal town, known for its beauty and charm, has become a battleground for affordable housing, with a unique set of challenges that highlight the broader struggle faced by many communities across the UK.
The Struggle for Stability
St Ives' housing market has long been dominated by second homes, a trend that threatens the very fabric of the community. Census data from 2011 revealed a startling statistic: a quarter of properties in St Ives were second homes, a figure that soared to 15% across the wider area and even higher in the town center. This influx of holiday homes has created a housing crisis, pushing up prices and making it nearly impossible for young locals to find affordable, stable housing.
One resident, Hannah Roach, shares her story of constant relocation, forced out of rental after rental by landlords raising rents by hundreds of pounds. Her experience is a stark reminder of the instability faced by many young people in St Ives, a town where a life of constant movement and uncertainty has become the norm.
A Bold Intervention
In 2016, St Ives took a bold step by voting to ban new-builds from being used as second homes. This referendum was a national test case, a bold move to address the housing crisis and give local people a better chance of staying in the town. The adopted neighborhood development plan included Policy H2, a rule requiring newly built homes to be kept for full-time residents only.
St Ives became the first place in the UK to implement such a rule, a pioneering effort that has since been replicated in other parishes across Cornwall. The policy aimed to deter purely investment-driven purchases and prioritize local residents, a move that has had some impact but, as many young residents argue, has not gone far enough.
The Limits of Intervention
While Policy H2 has helped, it has not provided a complete solution. As Linda Tayler, the former mayor of St Ives, reflects, the policy has had its successes but also its failures. Some people have managed to purchase properties under the guise of full-time residency, only to use them as holiday homes, a loophole that has undermined the very purpose of the policy.
The streets of St Ives are a testament to this ongoing struggle. Walking along the granite-fronted residential areas near the seafront, one notices the abundance of holiday let signs, a stark reminder of the dominance of second homes. The names of these holiday lets, like 'Benjamin's Bolthole' and 'Vitamyn Sea', are a subtle yet powerful symbol of the battle for affordable housing.
A Broader Trend
St Ives is not alone in its struggle. Villages in Northumberland, such as Beadnell, Bamburgh, and Seahouses, have enforced principal-residence rules for years, reporting a rise in permanent residents. Yet, even with these rules, the sense of loneliness during the winter months when holidaymakers leave is a stark reminder of the impact of second homes on community life.
Similarly, Whitby in Yorkshire saw over 90% of voters back limits on new-build second homes in 2022, a clear indication of the growing concern over locals being priced out of their own towns. These examples highlight a broader trend, a nationwide struggle for affordable housing that threatens the very essence of community life.
Conclusion
The housing crisis in St Ives is a complex issue, one that requires a nuanced understanding of the unique challenges faced by coastal communities. While policies like Policy H2 are a step in the right direction, they are not a panacea. The struggle for affordable housing continues, a battle that impacts the lives of young residents and the very fabric of the community. As we reflect on the situation in St Ives, we must ask ourselves: What more can be done to ensure that communities like this one can thrive, and that young people have a future in the places they call home?
