DON BASHFORD, of Black­awton, writes:

In response to Kevin Pyne’s letter, Second Homes bring town down, Chronicle, January 15, I like many more would love to retain the past, local community, small shops catering for all the locals needs, pubs with atmosphere and filled with the local colloquial accents and at  prices you could afford. We are in a life of accelerating change, but  second homes are not new they have been going for centuries, depends on your purse.

 Let’s stop to think about  second homes.

Originally the local owner of a property at  some time in the past will have undoubtedly sold their home to someone outside the area creating possibly the first modern second home, guess what, a geometric progression. Why? Money! We know we live in a beautiful place, some are people are privileged to be born and bred in the South Hams an enviable community and a wonderful place.

Some have brought their way in because they want to have a different lifestyle. So why do so many sell? I expect to have usable cash in their hand, buy a boat, sail around the world, or in reality did not care in the slightest, downgrade to a smaller house so more money in the pocket, who knows?

 Dartmouth is unique who would not want to live here, have a second home if they could afford it.

Many people work extremely hard to obtain a better lifestyle, to retire and  live in a beautiful place, buy a second home because their house prices have increased and maybe they downgrade to be able to follow a dream, we all have opportunities, some may never take them. Many people struggle with mortgages and sacrifice a good part of family life working away to achieve this lifestyle, other people are lucky  and the house they now  live in has passed down through the family and so never have to worry about mortgages, and yes they sell off land and barns to developers ( but guess what! not to locals in many cases) so enjoying a nice lifestyle.

 People who used to have caravans / tents / statics in Devon  in their formative years now have traded in the caravans and statics for second homes, did we complain about caravans as well? yes for sure “they are all grockles” who put believe it or not money in the coffers and  income into the community.

Let’s think on the positive for second home owners?

They provide trade for the local builders, plumbers, electricians, roofers, architects, cleaners and solicitors, to name but a few. Some of these older properties are restored often to a high standard that maybe the local resident could not afford due to the economics of the area. Other locals  living in adjacent properties are suddenly finding their property elevated to an enviable price. Do they  benefit due to the properties in the must be area that are now worth hundreds of thousands. Yes sure  they do and  many older people who are coming into retirement can enjoy the equity release that can give them a stress free lifestyle considering the pension issues we have today. 

On a negative note there is a reduction in community spirit, less people at home maybe  a reduction in local shops. The supermarkets which most people use as convenient have also caused this demise and yes it was inevitable, its called change. Local shops as we know are closing their doors due to greedy Landlords and let”s not forget the internet, and shopping. I know people in a local village with  a local village shop and some locals do not use it! I am talking about a community with only a tiny percentage of second homes. We, the locals, are the failures in many respects.

Second homes lying empty is a difficult concept for sure, but remember they could easily be filled with families that will, can and want to  turn your social space into an extremely different place, I do not need to mention past letters referring to the use of second homes.

So, Mr Pyne, if I owned a second home and were pushed by the council or government to have it occupied, it would be for people who are or were local people.

I read the planning application for the recently closed Pennyfarthing Antiques centre which is for another garage. Who would believe it?

What I find humorous is the comment by the council on the application saying it is committed to encouraging diversity. For garages, I expect.

Kevin, move you bike and you could have an antiques centre!