The issue of rising holiday lets has become a pressing concern for residents in the Derbyshire Dales, a beautiful region enveloped by the Peak District National Park and located near major UK cities such as Manchester, Sheffield, Derby, and Nottingham. This picturesque area, known for its natural beauty, has seen an influx of families, tourists, and visitors particularly since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic which encouraged many to seek local holidaying options rather than travel abroad. However, the consequential boom in the holiday let market has created a housing crisis that is pricing local families out of stable housing options, drawing comparisons with similar struggles in areas such as Cornwall and Yorkshire.
Dee Goddard, a resident of Curbar in Derbyshire Dales, encapsulates the struggle faced by families in the region. She moved north from “down south” believing it would provide a more economical living situation for her and her family. However, the retrospective reality has proven to be starkly different, with Dee and her husband, who work at the University of Sheffield, now finding themselves dedicating over half of their income just to cover rent and council tax. Dee articulated her situation poignantly, expressing a wish for her one-year-old son to grow up in a community where they are rooted, having lost hope in finding affordable housing amidst the current climate marked by few available properties and skyrocketing prices.
The average house price in the Dales reached approximately £350,548 last year compared to £270,733 in neighboring High Peak. Data reveals that properties classified as second homes and holiday lets comprise a notable percentage of the housing stock in the area, with reports indicating that in some villages, they represent up to a quarter of all residential units. The Local Democracy Reporting Service described the concentration of Airbnbs in the district as particularly pronounced, raising alarms about the bleak implications for actual community living as locals feel their neighborhoods are becoming more silent and less vibrant due to the absence of permanent residents.
Oona Gilbertson, the headteacher at Eyam Church of England Primary School, voiced concerns regarding diminishing student enrollment, which is likely influenced by the inability of new families to find adequate housing in the region. The school currently hosts 70 students, but the uncertainty surrounding the housing market complicates the school’s planning and budgeting efforts. As Gilbertson explained, families interested in enrolling their children often find themselves unable to secure rentals or sales within the community.
Amidst these housing concerns, the economic relevance of the holiday let market cannot be ignored. Justin Heslop, director of Peak Venues, which offers a variety of holiday accommodations, emphasized that the influx of tourism around the Peak District supports local jobs and the economy. He highlighted that visitors invariably contribute to local businesses through dining and entertainment, suggesting that the market is essential for maintaining economic vitality.
Nonetheless, local officials are keenly aware of the pressing need to strike a balance. Measures including increased council tax for second homeowners but not for holiday accommodations have been discussed, alongside proposals for planning permissions that would regulate changes in property usage from residential to holiday rentals. Derbyshire Dales District Council is urging the new Labour administration to support such regulations in light of community and housing needs.
The Ministry of Housing, Communities, and Local Government has recognized the significant impact of the holiday let phenomenon, promising to introduce a registration scheme for short-term lets, along with potential legislative measures to empower councils in managing such pressures. These developments signal a growing acknowledgment of the fine line between supporting a vibrant tourism economy and ensuring local communities have access to housing.
As Dee Goddard articulated, the situation raises essential questions about the sustainability of diminutive communities as they grapple with finding a balance between thriving tourism and the preservation of robust village life, where local residents can continue to live, thrive, and nurture future generations.
