A CRISIS of dwindling housing stock caused by a rise in short-term tourist accommodation will be addressed in a Government review following calls from Cumbrian politicians.

Soaring numbers of short-term holiday lets is an acute issue in hospitality hotspots like Eden, Allerdale and South Lakeland.

Local politicians have spoken with concern about the falling number of homes available to families and young adults looking to get a foot on the housing ladder.

And the Government has this week launched a review into the problem, issuing a call for evidence “on the benefits, challenges presented by the rise in short term and holiday letting seen in England over the last 10 to 15 years.”

READ MORE: The change of second homes to holiday lets sweep across Copeland

Cumbria County Council and Allerdale Borough Council have both written to Government recently, calling for action on the issue.

Allerdale Council’s elected member for Keswick, Markus Campbell-Savours received unanimous support for his motion calling on the authority to write to Government about the issue.

Concerned members of the public attended the meeting of full council, reporting that any new housing stock is immediately “snapped-up” as a holiday let.

Cumbria County Council member for Keswick Tony Lywood has also successfully passed a motion urging the authority to press Government on the issue.

Speaking to the Local Democracy Reporting Service this week, Cllr Campbell-Savours said: “I’m glad to see the Government consulting on options including a licensing scheme, which I have campaigned on for quite some time.

“What isn’t clear is whether the Government will consider giving housing authorities the power to cap numbers.

READ MORE: Allerdale Council's unanimous support for proposal to address Keswick housing shortage

Cllr Campbell-Savours said that without it “we’ll continue to see the rapid decline of homes available in places like Keswick and other tourist towns.”

MP for Penrith and the Borders, Dr Neil Hudson welcomed the review: “This Government review into short term tourist accommodation is excellent news for our communities that have long suffered with the negative effects of short-term holiday lets.

“I’ve fought for a fairer housing market for local people continuously since being elected and it’s really heartening to see Government sitting up and taking note. I have raised this issue with Government Ministers repeatedly, including Tourism Minister Nigel Huddleston, and I am grateful that they have listened to me and responded with this consultation.”

Although he acknowledged the economic importance of tourism, Dr Hudson said that he has seen first hand local people “being priced out of their communities due to the spiralling cost of properties.

“I know in Eden, house prices have risen by almost 16 per cent in the last year, which is just staggering. These pressures are being felt especially by our young people looking to get onto the housing market, who simply can’t afford the eye-watering sums needed for a deposit.”

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