A BAN on second homes in a town dubbed “Chelsea-on-Sea” threatens to destroy a tourist hotspot, business owners say.
They are “howling with anger” after the move was announced in Burnham Market, Norfolk, where some locals felt priced out.
The village – where homes cost an average of £800,000 – now has signs fighting back against the decision.
Oliver Nelson, shop manager at Satchells wine merchants, told The Sun: “There was no forewarning to businesses so we couldn’t get ahead of it.
“It has created a lot of ill-feeling, I think. There was no consultation, we didn’t know it was happening.
“The reason we put the sign out was purely because we had a couple of people come in in the first few days saying it doesn’t make them feel welcome.
“My main view is that we want everyone to feel welcome regardless of whether they are locals or second home owners.”
He fears independent stores in the town may not survive if the measures – which Oliver says doesn’t address the housing problem anyway – remain.
A referendum saw 80 percent of voters back a bid to limit the number of new second homes and holiday lets.
The rules require lets to be “principal residences” and ban existing homes from being turned into holiday retreats.
But locals say these have made the town’s housing market “un-affordable” and left the village “hollowed out” outside peak season.
The proposals only needed 50 percent approval to come into force, the turnout for the vote was 32 percent.
But Oliver said the referendum was held on a Thursday in late September meaning many locals didn’t get a word in.
Dennis Clark, chairman of Burnham Market parish council, said: “We don’t want to keep people away from Burnham Market.
“But we want to encourage lower-cost housing so that the people who work here can live here.”
Satchells has since fought back with a sign slamming the referendum.
It reads: “Breaking News: Second Home Owners and holidaymakers are welcome here”.
And Arthur Howell, of Arthur Howell Butchers, said: “We need the business that holiday makers bring in over the summer to get us through the winter.”
North West Norfolk MP James Wild said: “The plans approved by residents including a principal residency test will mean the needs of local people for affordable homes to rent or buy are taken into account when considering planning issues so we can have vibrant villages.”
