A controversial plan to prevent the sale of new-build homes to anyone other than owner-occupiers in areas of Britain’s South West could be overturned if a landmark case makes its way to Court.
The news comes after housing developer RLT Built Environment Limited filed for a judicial review against the much-contested ‘second home referendum’ recently introduced in St Ives, Cornwall.
The ‘St Ives Neighbourhood Plan’ prevents buy-to-let landlords from purchasing new-build second homes in certain areas of Cornwall.
Similar controversial plans have been imposed in Devon and other parts of Britain’s South West in recent years.
The St Ives plan was heavily backed in a vote last Thursday – with 83 per cent of voters in favour of the document and its ongoing implementation.
But RLT Built Environment are seeking permission to judicially review the process surrounding the vote, bringing forth a legal challenge which could potentially lift restrictions on would-be landlords and overturn the ban altogether.
Cornwall Council has said that it will “carefully consider the grounds on which the claim for the review” have been made, and the case will likely find its way to Court in coming months.
This could have a knock-on effect on similar bans currently in place throughout the country.