Second Homes
6.40 The 2001 Census revealed the South West has the highest number and percentage of second homes in England. There are an estimated 38,000 second homes in the South West region in 2005. This represents 1.8% of the total housing stock, compared to 0.6% for England. 'Hot spots' within the South West include Isles of Scilly, South Hams in Devon, North Cornwall and Dorset.
6.41 The Survey of English Housing 2005 (DCLG, formerly ODPM) suggested that between 2001/02 and 2003/04 there were 253,000 households in England with a second home (1.2% of the total housing stock at that point). 24% (approximately 60,000) of these were located in the South West, representing 2.7% of the total South West housing stock.
6.42 There is much sub-regional variation between levels of dual ownership, with some Cornish and Devon local authorities reporting between 7% and 9% of all dwellings being second homes. Coastal areas are particularly affected, with one coastal local authority reporting that 40% to 50% of the coastal housing stock receive a second home council tax discount (SWRA 2006).