Ban on second homes upheld on luxury flats

People living in a seaside town have welcomed the rejection of a developer's bid to allow four new luxury flats being sold as second homes.

A planning inspector has upheld a principal residency condition on all new build dwellings in Salcombe which means the flats are for sale only to people who live there.

"It's about keeping Salcombe a lived-in town, not just a postcard," said Salcombe Town Council after the ruling by a planning inspector on the flats at Brewery Quay.

Developer Valentine London said the condition made the flats "unsaleable" because potential buyers were put off.

Residents of Salcombe said overturning the ban would create a "dangerous precedent" in holiday towns like Salcombe where nearly half of all dwellings are already second homes or holiday lets.

The inspector said removing the principal residency condition would "undermine" the purpose of the policy to "redress the balance of an unquestionably high proportion of second or holiday homes in Salcombe".

The inspector concluded the condition was "reasonable and necessary in the interest of ensuring the properties are only occupied as a principal residence".

The town council said: "We want our streets to stay alive all year round, the school well-used, neighbours sharing a coffee and local shops and services supported by residents who call Salcombe home.

"Other coastal communities, like us with a substantial visitor economy and many houses not permanently occupied, have been closely watching this appeal.

"This decision helps reinforce the shared importance of protecting space for permanent communities in areas under intense second-home demand."

The council added: "We welcome everyone who loves Salcombe, whether you're here all year, some of the year, or just visiting.

"What matters is that we work together to ensure Salcombe stays vibrant, resilient, and inclusive.

"Supporting principal residence new homes is not about exclusion, it's about keeping the heart of Salcombe beating for generations to come."

Valentine London declined to comment.

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