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A coastal town is trying to stop second home owners turning it into 'Chelsea-on-Sea' by making it harder for wealthy buyers to snap up properties.
Under new rules, all new-build homes in Salcombe will now only be allowed to be bought as a 'primary residence' and must stay that way even if they are resold.
Previous restrictions required new build homes to be occupied by people with a tie to the local area.
However, South Hams District Council said in a report that this often gets 'lost or overlooked' when a house is resold a few years later.
The properties are then added to the growing list of second homes - contributing to rising inequality in the area and not allowing locals to get onto the property ladder.
Recent figures revealed around 57 per cent of homes in Salcombe 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.
The seaside town of Salcombe, Devon. Recent figures revealed around 57 per cent of homes in Salcombe are already classed as 'second homes'
The town is a hot bed for the wealthy, who buy up second homes and drive up the price of properties for locals
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
