Plans have been hatched to add tough new restrictions on more second home owners buying property in Salcombe.

All new-build homes could only be allowed to be bought as a ’primary residence’ and must stay that way even if they are resold.

The move strengthens previous restrictions that required new build homes to be occupied by people with a tie to the local area.

But South Hams District Council said in a report this condition often gets "lost or overlooked" when a house is resold a few years later.

They therefore quickly become added to the growing list of second homes and add to the rising inequality there.

The amendment to the neighbourhood plan would stop this from happening via a so-called Section 106 agreement, which is then registered against the property title.

This would therefore be easily seen by any potential buyer and ensure the restriction remains a legal entitlement when a property changes hands.

Recent figures revealed around 57 per cent of homes in the town are already classed as ‘second homes.’

The average wage is below the national average yet the cost of buying a home is around £750k - with a majority selling for well over £1m.

This has led to an influx of ’out of towners’ moving into the area and locals being forced out - prompted the nickname "Chelsea-on-Sea."

The amendment to the neighbourhood plan states: “New open market housing, excluding replacement dwellings, will only be supported where there is a Section 106 agreement to ensure its occupancy as a principal residence.

"This policy is as a result of impact upon the local housing market of second or holiday homes. This occupancy restriction will therefore require the imposition of a legal agreement. New unrestricted market homes will not be supported at any time.”

The plan added: “The consequence of the high value placed on market housing which attracts primarily second home owners is the lack of supply of properties for younger working people and families. These families move away from the parish.

“If not checked, the demand for high value housing places unsustainable pressure on the AONB and countryside surrounding the town.

“You should not be misled to think the Plan is anti-second home owners, it is not. Those who have second homes in the Parish play an essential role supporting the social fabric of the town and the local economy and we hope this will continue unchanged.

“Second home ownership makes a valuable contribution to the local economy and social fabric of the town whilst acknowledging the sustainability of Salcombe Parish is being compromised through the amount of properties that are not occupied on a permanent basis.

“But this policy will support the housing needs of local people, and bring greater balance and mixture to the local housing market and create new opportunities for people to live and work here, and strengthen the community and local economy.”

The neighbourhood plan will now be assessed by an independent examiner before it is officially signed off.