Surprise UK town suddenly filled with second homes | England | News

Newcastle-under-Lyme, a town traditionally overlooked in second home discussions, has emerged as England’s surprise second property ownership hotspot.

The Staffordshire town, which had not a single second home left in 2022, has seen a dramatic increase to 303 second homes in 2024; this was a more than tenfold increase in just two years.

While this figure is modest compared to hotspots such as Cornwall or Brighton, the proportionate growth in Newcastle-under-Lyme is the largest in England, underlining an unexpected trend away from traditional London areas or coastal resorts.

The rise in second homes is not limited to Newcastle-under-Lyme.

There are now 279,870 second homes across England; This represents an increase of 8.9 percent in two years.

Wandsworth, Lincoln, Solihull and Nottingham also saw significant increases, while Brighton and Hove recorded the biggest numerical increase, adding 1,506 second homes in one year.

Cornwall remains the epicenter of second home ownership, with 14,123 properties – one in every 20 homes. North Yorkshire and Kensington and Chelsea follow with 8,572 and 7,667 respectively.

Second homes range from vacation rentals like Airbnb to “buy and let” properties purchased as investments.

Newcastle-under-Lyme’s rise reflects changing dynamics as investors seek opportunities outside traditional hotspots, attracted by low property prices and growth potential.

The rapid growth in second homes has led to concerns about pressure on local infrastructure and housing availability.

In Cornwall, where second homes dominate, residents face challenges such as housing shortages and high property prices.

A spokesperson for the Department of Housing, Communities and Local Government acknowledged the frustration in affected areas: “We are taking decisive action to protect communities by giving councils the power to charge council tax premiums on second homes and increase Stamp Duty on additional properties.”

From April 2024, councils can impose council tax premiums of up to 100 per cent on second homes and higher Stamp Duty rates on additional properties.

The trend is reshaping the UK’s property landscape, as Newcastle-under-Lyme and other unlikely places emerge as second home destinations.

While investment opportunities are increasing, local communities and governments are grappling with the consequences of this emerging phenomenon.