Post by stuartB on Dec 5, 2010 21:08:30 GMT
Dec 5, 2010 20:53:32 GMT Dave said:
I agree with what you are saying Dave, especially in relation to Oldway but must take issue with you about the bit I have quoted.
There are always two sides to a coin. i hear this constant criticism of second home owners, well they aren't all bad, quite the opposite.
I am a second home owner, a TUFC fan and make a contribution to the local economy on a regular basis. You should also take into consideration the council tax I pay and that I get very little for my money as i don't use the vast range of facilities paid for out of the tax. I even take all my rubbish and recycling back to Wales.
So, in reality, i am subsidising the rest of you. Am I that bad really then?
My reference to second home owners was not meant to be taken as an attack on them. The point I was making was tower blocks of flats built in such a wonderful location, could only be bought by rich second home homes and well off retired people.
Is it worth losing that area under concrete so a hotel can be built and in return we see the Pavilions done up?
Second home owners are not a problem here in Torbay, but that is not the case in many villages I'm afraid. There are villages that are now ghost towns in the winter and the local shops have gone, the pub closed down, the post office closed along with the school.
All because the locals could no longer afford to buy the houses in the villages as second home owners forced up the prices. Sorry but its a fact that so many villages have lost their heart and are as good as dead now.
I agree with you Dave but just wanted everyone to know that some of us second home owners aren't filthy rich and aren't killing the local economy.
It is a disaster to small villages but the power is in your own hands but maybe the councils aren't brave enough to pass the legislation.
I moved to Wales when I came out of the RAF and bought a 3 bed house for £8000. I got a grant to help do it up and paid half myself. we gutted it and started from scratch. we lived with the in laws for 15 months but had a great home at the end of it.
Over 10 years we managed to pay off our mortgage by being very careful while others pi$$ed their money up the wall.
Now I have been able to get a lovely property in Paignton but i am no different to most people with only one mortgage. If the council tax was hiked for second home owners, I would probably have to reconsider but the second home owners that Dave alludes to would not have a problem, as they tend to be from the Home Counties and they could probably afford it (there i go generalising now
)I cannot see this obsession with building hotels, it's mad and unnecessary. Phil and I worked at Pontins in Paignton, which has now gone. so has Dolphin, Bay view, Wall Park etc etc. The holiday camps have gone and hotels and many many little guest houses BUT there are still plenty of spaces in the summer. It has been a very long time since I've seen NO VACANCY signs. there are always spaces, so why generate more?
