Short term lets are having a devastating effect on some of our communities, replacing long term accommodation and meaning rents are going up and conditions are going down. But people are getting organised and are fighting for change...

ACORN Falmouth and Penryn recently met with Olly Monk, the Portfolio Holder for Housing in Cornwall, to discuss our Homes Before Holidays campaign, which Falmouth Town Council has unanimously voted to support, which aims to tackle the housing crisis in Falmouth and Penryn by placing restrictions on second homes, holiday lets and Airbnbs.

He agreed to a number of our demands, including the creation of a second homes and holiday lets registry in Cornwall, doubling Council tax on these properties by 2024, and the creation of new licensing powers for local councils to limit the creation of second homes and holiday lets locally.

This is a massive win for us, as our campaign will influence housing policy across Cornwall. But we must ensure that these demands are implemented by Cornwall Council in good faith, and we hope to work closely with them to ensure these restrictions are truly effective.

Councillor Monk agreed to future meetings but declined to arrange regular quarterly meetings, therefore we will be following up to make sure this future meeting is booked in to ensure these demands are implemented by Cornwall Council as soon as possible, and to ensure he is held accountable to his promises.