People living in the UK’s “Costa del Sol” are being forced to live in tents due to extortionate house prices, poor transport links and overtourism. Second home owners are also blamed for the crisis, which has kicked some locals out of their homes.
Perranporth, in Cornwall, is a very popular holiday destination as it boasts a stunning golden beach and a number of family-friendly attractions. It’s population swells from 3,000 to 12,000 over the busy summer months and is often used as a place for wealthy city dwellers to buy a second property.
However, Perranporth locals have been left sleeping in tents or caravans. Some also face trips of up to an hour to get to the local school.
Matt Burrell, who runs Pavillion Ice and neighbouring Haddock’s End fish and chip shop, said: “I know of people who move into a tent on a campsite for the summer and rent their house out because of the money they can make.”
But he said he didn’t think Airbnbs were a “bad thing” for the village because they brought in more people.
As reported by The Sun, Sidnie Ray-Neeld, who works at the Higgins Gift Shop, said second home buyers have impacted the area. The 22-year-old said: “It’s strange because there seems to be a lot of people in the town but nobody is spending any money.
“Normally by this time of year we would be open until 7pm, but it’s dead by 5pm and normally we would have about seven staff but we’re at three currently. Second homes must be a factor when over half the area is second homes and the rest is overpriced Airbnbs.
“I just moved away from Newquay because I can’t afford to live here any more. I know a lot of people who rent out their houses for the summer and go abroad or move in with family. Some even live in a caravan in their garden.”
Cornwall Council doubled council tax rates on all second homes in April and recent figures revealed house prices have dropped by an average of £13,000 in Perranporth. However, the average home still sells for just over £400,000, which is around double the national average.
Katie Mellor, who hires out surfboards in the summer and does factory and bar work in the summer, said: “It’s been quiet this summer and people that are around are not spending money.
“I have friends who own holiday accommodation and they still have lots of vacancies this summer. Second homes has had a massive impact on every village in Cornwall. All the time people are getting kicked out because their landlords are selling up and there is nowhere for them to go.
“Buying here is completely out of the question for most villagers because wages are so low compared to house prices.”
She also revealed a lack of public transport in Perranporth causes issues for people working and going to school elsewhere like in Truro. Ms Mellor said her children go to school in Truro and the bus is always half an hour late.
The nearest secondary school to Perranporth is ten miles away in Truro. The trip often takes an hour on the bus.
