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The Scottish National Party councillor for Oban North and Lorn - which includes the village of Plockton, made famous by the Hamish Macbeth TV series - says buying a holiday home is the equivalent of a forced eviction.
Julie McKenzie made the comment on social media when she responded to news that a house in the village was for sale for offers over £490,000.
She wrote: “The modern clearances have been happening by stealth for years in the Highlands and we require urgent, bold policy to halt this before it’s too late.”
The Clearances was the name given to a policy of forced eviction of tenants between the mid-18th and mid-19th century.
The Scottish Government is giving local authorities the power to double - or more - the council tax bills of some 25,000 second home owners from next year, while a new licensing system for Airbnb short lets is likely to sharply reduce the growth of this sector.
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The SNP are destroying Scotland 🏴, what the party needs to do is ….. Build more houses !! At that price an average Scot couldn’t buy it anyhow 🤔. As usual they are using classic “ deflection “ 👌🏻
I think the SNP has a terrible cheek. People are, in effect, having their assets confiscated by extortionate taxation.
I happen to think he has a point on second homes, there are many desirable villages across the whole of the UK that have been hollowed out because of second homes. A house needs to be a full-time home not a plaything at the weekend. I don't agree with the SNP on virtually everything else they do in regards to housing but these homes that sit idle out of season, make what limited accomodation there is available, for local families even more unobtainable. Yes, there are second homes that are huge and not suitable as regular family homes, but in many cases especially in costal towns that's because half a dozen cottages were knocked down to build a couple of luxury monstrosities - the removal of which, would allow multiple homes back in there place.
So yes I agree with him.
I think he’s just another embittered socialist I’m afraid.
Sorry! Should read she’s
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