Families in seaside town dubbed Chelsea-on-Sea celebrate after developer loses bid to scrap rule new builds should be sold to locals only
The Planning Inspectorate ruled this week that Valentine London can only sell its four new luxury apartments in Salcombe, Devon, to people planning to live there full-time.
The developer had appealed South Hams District Council's 2019 rule that any new homes in the coastal resort town must be primary residences.
The firm said this strict condition made its £1.2million flats 'unsellable' - but its pleas were rejected by the national planning body on Monday.
Salcombe earned its nickname, punning on the affluent London area of Chelsea, as almost half its dwellings are owned by outsiders.
They often use their properties as second homes or holiday lets.
It means property prices in the town have soared to an eye-watering average of £826,000, pricing locals out of the market and forcing many out of the area.
So, natives of the picturesque sailing town are overjoyed at this latest decision - which they said sets an important precedent for all coastal areas affected by second home ownership.
Salcombe's mayor, town coucillor Jasper Evans, said: 'Salcombe's housing stock is under pressure from the number of second homes which is absolutely not a criticism of second home owners.
'They have invested massively in the town and we are tremendously appreciative of everything they contribute. To be clear - we welcome everyone who loves Salcombe.
'In Salcombe, the permanent resident population has been in decline. We don't want that to continue.
'We want young people to stay in the town, work here, be part of the local economy and community.
'The town's year-round vitality depends on its permanent residents of all ages. So, the policy is that if you buy a new house, it has to be your main home.
'That doesn't apply to houses already built.
'This policy is certainly well-supported in Salcombe. It is in our Neighbourhood Plan and it's been introduced in many coastal towns, especially in the south west, who have also been closely watching this appeal.
'It was very important for us and I am sure other communities who adopted the principal residence condition will be equally pleased with this decision.'
The properties are no longer listed for sale and the estate agents said they could not comment on why.
MailOnline has contacted Valentine London for comment but the company appears to have gone into receivership as of May last year.
Its directors are listed on Companies House as Andrew and Samantha Manning-Smith, with both appointed in May 2016.
Mr Manning-Smith's LinkedIn page reads: 'Currently developing 15,000 sq ft on the water in Salcombe.'
Meanwhile, Mrs Manning-Smith's describes her as a 'property owner in Salcombe' with the development 'now concluded and in the sales phase' - and her profile picture bearing the tag 'open to work'.
Their accounts also show them both also currently working as co-founders of Targa Club as of August 2019, a private members' club for car lovers.
Mrs Manning-Smith has regularly featured as a 'panellist on political and current affairs' on Radio 4, Radio 5 and Channel 4 with Anita Anand and Cathy Newman.
She was asked to speak at the Conservative Party Conference by then-Prime Minister David Cameron in 2009.
And she was put forward to stand as a candidate for the party in London's Richmond Park in 2007, missing out to Zac Goldsmith, who was MP from 2010 to 2016 and from 2017 to 2019.
He served as Minister for Overseas Territories from September 2022 to June 2023 and is now a life peer.
Mrs Manning-Smith has also won various business accolades, as a finalist in Business Woman of the Year 2006, invited to Buckingham Palace to meet the late Queen in 2007 as one of the 100 Most Influential Women In Business.
Planning inspector Oliver Marigold said the drawbacks of letting Valentine London sell the flats without the primary residence condition would 'significantly and demonstrably outweigh the benefits'.
South Hams District Council brought in this rule in its 2019 Salcombe Neighbourhood Plan as the town reached breaking point over the second homes issue.
Salcombe had become the second most expensive seaside location after Sandbanks.
This was no mean feat, given the Dorset seaside town has long been the playground of celebrities like football manager Harry Redknapp and chef Rick Stein.
Permission for the four flats in Salcombe and a commercial unit at ground level below them - known collectively as the Brewery Quay scheme - was granted in 2020.
The council says the developers were aware of the primary residence restriction throughout.
Developers managed to flog the commercial space to a marine business.
But the white elephant flats have still not sold, despite efforts to variously market them off-plan, after completion and at 25 per cent under market value.
Valentine London has claimed this is because buyers see it as a risky investment, fearing the principal residence rule would make it hard to sell the flats on.
But Mr Marigold did not agree: 'The main reason that the flats are not occupied is because of the marketing strategy, which I have found has not sufficiently explored all potential opportunities.'
He said as far as he was aware, new dwellings granted permission in the South Hams area since the rule was implemented in 2019 have sold without any problems.
The inspector added a lower price may yet pull potential buyers in.
He also remarked: 'I do not accept the contention that the planning system entitles developers to expect a reasonable return from development or that the need for a return justifies non-compliance with planning policy.'
Mr Marigold also said not upholding the rule would undermine its function - to 'redress the balance of an unquestionably high proportion of second or holiday homes in Salcombe'.
'Tourism is important to Salcombe, but the level of second homes and holiday lets is harming its vitality', Mr Marigold wrote.
'Policy H3 clearly sets out that new unrestricted market homes will not be supported, to meet the housing needs of local people and to strengthen the community and economy.'
District councillor Mark Long has previously said, after the appeal was submitted: 'We need people living here full time.
'What we're looking for is to try and balance things out so that we actually have a vibrant, viable community.'
If Valentine London won, all areas with principal residence conditions would be at risk 'right across the South West and around the country', he warned.
'And so I think it's important that we try and hold the line here.'
Salcombe Town Council has previously echoed this sentiment: 'Nothing in any document submitted persuades us to waver from upholding the principal residence Policy SALC H3 which is and has been very clear: "New unrestricted market homes will not be supported at any time"...
'Many other parishes are protected by similar policies and any deviation would set a dangerous precedent in and beyond Salcombe. This policy must be vigorously upheld.'
Salcombe is one of 12 parishes in the South Hams district, on Devon's south coast, which have adopted principal residency conditions 'to achieve sustainable communities'.
Such policies have been adopted in other parts of the country too, like the coastal town of St Ives, Cornwall.
A spokesperson for Salcombe Town Council has now commented, after this week's decision: 'This is more than just a planning decision. It's about keeping Salcombe a lived-in town throughout the year...
'We want our streets to stay alive all year round, the school well-used, neighbours sharing a coffee and local shops and services supported by residents who call Salcombe home.
'Other coastal communities which have a substantial visitor economy and many houses not permanently occupied have been closely watching this appeal.
'This decision helps reinforce the shared importance of protecting space for permanent communities in areas under intense second-home demand.'
It added: 'We welcome everyone who loves Salcombe, whether you're here all year, some of the year or just visiting.
'What matters is that we work together to ensure Salcombe stays vibrant, resilient, and inclusive.
'Supporting principal residence new homes is not about exclusion - it's about keeping the heart of Salcombe beating year round and for generations to come.'
Valentine London co-director Mr Manning-Smith, has previously been quoted as refuting the council's claims developers knew about the restriction when the homes were built.
He said: 'This was the first primary occupancy restriction in Devon.
'When we applied for preplanning and planning the primary occupancy restriction did not exist.
'It also did not exist in the statement of common ground agreed with the council a month before the appeal.
'The point we were aware the restriction was requested to be applied by South Hams Council was on the day of the appeal.
'We have applied to remove the condition as the apartments are unsaleable at a proper price with the condition, which we told the inspector on the original appeal, and highly unlikely to be mortgageable.
'Despite numerous reductions in price and offers of incentives, the apartments have failed to find a buyer in the last three and a half years due to the condition on this site.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Sun
20 minutes ago
- The Sun
Huge jump in rejections for vital benefit worth £340 a year that unlocks full state pension payments – how to avoid it
HUNDREDS of people could be missing out getting their full state pension in retirement because they're not receiving a vital benefit. New figures obtained by wealth management company Quilter have revealed the number of Carer's Credit claims being rejected has risen to the highest level in over a decade. 1 The benefit can be claimed by people who have taken time out of work to care for someone else. The benefit doesn't pay you any money directly but it's a National Insurance credit that makes sure you can still get the full state pension while you're not working. You usually need 35 years of National Insurance contributions to get the full state pension, which currently sits at £11,973 per year. If you only have 10 qualifying years, for example, you would get just £3,420.86 a year. That means you would lose out on £342 for every year that you're not making National Insurance contributions. If you claim Carer's Credit, it fills in the gaps in your National Insurance record to help you get the full amount. The latest figures, which come from a Freedom of Information request to the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), show the number of rejected Carer's Credit claims rose to 990 in 2024/25. A total of 6,773 claims were submitted over the year. This means nearly 15% of claims were rejected. It's also a sharp increase on the 164 claims that were rejected out of the total 7,105 claims made in 2023/24. In 2022/23, a total of 4,209 claims were made with only 67 rejected. The DWP said the most common reasons for refusal were missing qualifying benefit links or missing health or social care certificates. Other factors included being over the state pension age, applying late, not living in the UK, or submitting duplicate or future-dated claims. Almost 5.7million people in the UK provide unpaid care, including 1.7million people who deliver 50 hours or more of care per week. The DWP said it didn't hold any data on how many carers may be entitled to but not applying for Carer's Credit. But it appears a large number of people could be eligible. Jon Greer, head of retirement policy at Quilter, said: "The rise in disallowed claims is a clear warning sign that many people are still unaware of the criteria or are being tripped up by administrative complexities... "Too many carers are missing out either because they don't know the credit exists or because they face hurdles in proving eligibility. "With millions of unpaid carers across the UK, it feels like this is a potentially largely underutilised benefit for carers and we should be doing much more to ensure that their future retirement income is not being quietly eroded." Are you eligible for Carer's Credit? To claim you'll need to be aged 16 or over but under the state pension age, which is currently 66. You could claim the benefit if you're in one of these situations: You care for one or more people for 20 hours or more a week but miss out on Carer's Allowance because you don't care for any one of them for 35 hours or more a week Where there is more than one of you caring for someone, and someone else is getting the Carer's Allowance for that person You care for someone who can't or refuses to claim disability benefits, or if the disability benefits of the person you are caring for have stopped due to them being in hospital or residential care You are within 12 weeks of claiming Carer's Allowance and/or within 12 weeks of your claim for Carer's Allowance stopping. The person you're looking after must normally be getting one of the following: The middle or the higher rate of the care component of Disability Living Allowance (DLA) The daily living component of Personal Independence Payment (PIP) (at either rate) Attendance Allowance (at either rate) or Constant Attendance Allowance Armed Forces Independence Payment (AFIP) You may still be able to claim Carer's Credit even if the person you're caring for doesn't get one of these benefits. When you apply, you should fill in the Care Certificate part of the application form and ask a healthcare professional to sign it. You don't need to apply for Carer's Credit if you get Carer's Allowance or Carer Support Payment because you'll automatically get credits. You'll also automatically get credits if you claim Child Benefit for a child under the age of 12. If you're a foster carer, you can apply for National Insurance credits instead. How can you claim? You can download a claim form online through the Government website here. You can also get the form by calling the Carer's Allowance Unit. The phone number is 0800 731 0297. You should then send off the form to Freepost DWP Carers Allowance Unit. Do not write anything except the freepost address on the envelope. You do not need a postcode or a stamp. Can you challenge the decision if your claim is rejected? If your claim is rejected you can still challenge the decision. This is called mandatory reconsideration and it's free to ask for. You can ask for mandatory reconsideration if any of the following apply: You think the office dealing with your claim has made an error or missed important evidence You disagree with the reasons for the decision You want to have the decision looked at again. You should contact the DWP if you disagree with the decision. You will need to ask for mandatory reconsideration within one month of the date of your decision letter. You'll need to give the date of your original benefit decision, your name and address, your date of birth and your National Insurance number. .
The Sun
20 minutes ago
- The Sun
Tiny bungalow bought for just £5k with stunning views of millionaires' playground Sandbanks hits market for £1.5m
A TINY bungalow that was bought for just £5,000 nearly 70 years ago has hit the market for a whopping £1.5 million. The property, on Shore Road, Dorset, boasts views of the sea and is just a stones throw away from Sandbanks, a luxury millionaire's playground. 6 6 6 Sitting on such a sought after location the little bungalow commands a big price. It has been owned by the same family since 1957, in the time since it was purchased Sandbanks has become one of the most desirable home locations on the planet. Despite the original £5,000 price tag only being worth around £170,000 today the property is being sold for a seven figure sum. It hit the market as part of a probate sale with an asking price of £1.5 million. The pricey bungalow does come with a caveat though, a covenant attached to the bungalow states that it cannot be extended upwards. The lucky buyers will be out of luck if they hoped to turn the property into a two-storey. Any hopeful buyer will have to consider the agreement which limits what they can do with the property. The estate agent does note that the three bedroom home can be torn down and rebuilt or extended at the back to provide some more space. At the moment the dainty home boasts a large lounge and dining room, patio doors opening onto the front garden and views of the harbour. The buyers will also get a smaller kitchen and utility room, two double bedrooms and a conservatory. Channel 4 star Celia Sawyer, known as 'Mrs Bling,' faces a heated privacy battle with her neighbour Neil Kennedy in Sandbanks The tiny bungalow even comes equipped with an internal garage for keeping swanky motors safe. Elliot Whitehead, of Lloyds Property Group, told the Daily Mail: "This is a rare opportunity to acquire a prime coastal home that is in a fabulous location and offers direct access to the Sandbanks lifestyle. "It has incredible views of Poole Harbour and is within moments of Sandbanks' award-winning beaches, fine dining and yacht clubs. "Due to the covenant, the new owner won't be able to go up but they could come out a little bit. It has quite a large garden and potential to extend at the back." 6 6 6 Homes at the exclusive resort sell for millions of pounds with the record price for a Sandbanks property sitting at £13.5 million. Among the resorts past and present residents are Harry Redknapp, Channel 4 star Celia Sawyer and entrepreneur Tom Glanfield. The tiny bungalow sits just a few hundred feet from the beach and boasts incredible views of the swanky area. While not quite as expensive or large as some of the neighbouring properties the bungalow offers the opportunity to purchase a home sitting on prime real estate. Sandbanks has been one of the most sought after locations for property buyers in the UK for some time. 5 Tips to Get on The Property Ladder Saving for your first property is tough, but it is possible. Here are a few steps for first-time buyers. 1. Cut back on luxuries and start saving Consistent monthly saving is the best way to accumulate enough money to get on the ladder, for a deposit and purchase fees. To do this, you need to take a look at your monthly outgoings and think about what can be cut out - holidays, new clothes, weekly takeaway. Using a savings calculator can help you to establish how long you will need to save for a deposit. Based on your income, you can figure out a realistic amount to save each month. 2. Have a realistic property search Set a budget for the property price you would like to buy, and think realistically about the location and size of your property. While we all may want that house with a view or extra bedroom, can you afford it? 3. Research Help To Buy and Shared Ownership schemes The government has introduced a few ways to help first-time-buyers get on the property ladder and they're great for those on lower incomes or to buy a property in more expensive areas like London. 4. Consider buying with another person Investing with somebody else you know is a sure way to get onto the property ladder. You only need to save half the amount you would otherwise, so you can work towards getting your property sooner. You can invest with a friend, family or partner. Naturally, it is a big step and a huge commitment so be open and honest about what you expect from living together — if you haven't already. 5. Talk to a mortgage broker and get your documents in order A mortgage broker can tell you exactly how much you can borrow for a mortgage, what you will need to pay monthly and in upfront costs.
The Sun
20 minutes ago
- The Sun
High street fashion chain to shut another shop after closing 12 – see the full list
ANOTHER big name on the high street is shutting its doors for good – adding to a growing list of store closures this year. The latest blow is in Scarborough, North Yorkshire, where New Look will close its Brunswick Centre store on Tuesday, September 17. 4 4 A Facebook post confirmed the news: 'NEW LOOK TO CLOSE FOR GOOD IN SCARBOROUGH. "New Look is one of the last remaining stores within the Brunswick Centre, which will officially close to the public on Tuesday, September 17, 2025.' It added that while shoppers had hoped the brand might relocate elsewhere, the company had now ruled this out. In a statement, New Look said: 'Unfortunately there are currently no plans to relocate this store, it will be closing down for the foreseeable future. 'Our store estate is an important part of our business, alongside our best-in-class website and app. "It is this omni-channel approach which allows us to best serve our 8 million customers, however they like to shop. 'On occasion we do have to close stores, either due to the landlord's request or because the site becomes unviable. "However, we always remain on the lookout for appropriate new opportunities across the country and continue to invest in our existing store estate.' Locals were quick to react online. One wrote: 'One of the reasons I go to Scarborough over Filey and Whitby is its High Street, especially New Look!' Another said: 'Feel sorry for the staff.' Britain's retail apocalypse: why your favourite stores KEEP closing down And a third added: 'So many empty shops they could have relocated too. "There will be nothing left in town centre soon but vape shops / cafes and charity shops.' This latest closure follows a string of shut downs by the retailer. In just weeks, New Look will also close its Hamilton, Scotland branch on July 1, with locals calling it the 'end of an era'. A shopper posted: 'Aw I'm gutted to see it go! Spent a good 10 years in there over the years.' A spokesperson confirmed: 'Our store in Hamilton is set close on July 1. "We would like to thank all of our colleagues and the local community for their support over the years. "We hope customers continue to shop with us online at where our full product ranges can be found.' The chain will then shut its Neath, Wales branch on August 6, sparking more sadness from shoppers. One blamed online shopping, claiming it has 'killed the high street', while another admitted they 'couldn't believe it.' The retailer has already closed 12 sites this year and previously warned almost 100 could be at risk as part of cost-cutting moves. Why are retailers closing shops? EMPTY shops have become an eyesore on many British high streets and are often symbolic of a town centre's decline. The Sun's business editor Ashley Armstrong explains why so many retailers are shutting their doors. In many cases, retailers are shutting stores because they are no longer the money-makers they once were because of the rise of online shopping. Falling store sales and rising staff costs have made it even more expensive for shops to stay open. The British Retail Consortium has predicted that the Treasury's hike to employer NICs from April 2025, will cost the retail sector £2.3billion. At the same time, the minimum wage will rise to £12.21 an hour from April, and the minimum wage for people aged 18-20 will rise to £10 an hour, an increase of £1.40. In some cases, retailers are shutting a store and reopening a new shop at the other end of a high street to reflect how a town has changed. The problem is that when a big shop closes, footfall falls across the local high street, which puts more shops at risk of closing. Retail parks are increasingly popular with shoppers, who want to be able to get easy, free parking at a time when local councils have hiked parking charges in towns. Many retailers including Next and Marks & Spencer have been shutting stores on the high street and taking bigger stores in better-performing retail parks instead. In some cases, stores have been shut when a retailer goes bust, as in the case of Carpetright, Debenhams, Dorothy Perkins, Paperchase, Ted Baker, The Body Shop, Topshop and Wilko to name a few. What's increasingly common is when a chain goes bust a rival retailer or private equity firm snaps up the intellectual property rights so they can own the brand and sell it online. They may go on to open a handful of stores if there is customer demand, but there are rarely ever as many stores or in the same places. The Centre for Retail Research (CRR) has warned that around 17,350 retail sites are expected to shut down this year. 4 4
