26 September 2023 , 17:24
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Residents in a seaside village dubbed 'Chelsea-on-sea' where the average house price is £1million have voted to stop people buying second homes.
Burnham Market in Norfolk has been given the nickname because of the large proportion of Londoners with property there. But a recent referendum in the coastal village has seen locals overwhelmingly back a bid to limit the number of second homes and holiday lets. More than 80% of voters supported the introduction of new measures to curb such properties, by putting conditions on all new developments. These require them to be 'principal residences' and ban existing homes being turned into holiday retreats.
Burnham Market has just over 700 people living in it (Chris Bishop / Newsquest / SWNS)The proposals only needed 50% approval to come into force but in reality the final figure was much higher. Dennis Clark, chairman of Burnham Market parish council, said: “The vote in favour was very strong. It’s a good result for a referendum.
When we put out an early document for people to comment on, they could do so from their armchair but for this they had to go out and vote and they have made their feelings clear. It’s a positive move forward for the village because it is what the village wants. We don’t want to keep people away from Burnham Market, but we want to encourage lower-cost housing so that the people who work here can live here. We need young people to be able to stay here to keep the village vibrant.”
It is estimated that one in four properties in Burnham Market is a second home, and the population has fallen by more than a fifth in just two decades. A 2021 census revealed Burnham Market has 724 residents. Of them, some 635 people were eligible to vote in the village, with 201 casting their ballot – a turnout of 32%. In total 161 – 80.1% - voted in favour and 40 – 19.9% - voted against.
London flat for rent for £1,400 a month with bed tucked away in kitchen cupboard
The average house price in the village is now £1million and, as in other villages in the area, locals say they are being priced out. Those who remain have warned of the area being 'hollowed out' by the large number of properties which are often left empty. Now the proposals have been approved they will become part of the village's neighbourhood plan which will be used to guide West Norfolk Council when determining local planning applications.