Latest news with #SouthWest
Telegraph
20 hours ago
- Business
- Telegraph
Posh hotspots suffer Britain's biggest house price falls
House prices in the South West are falling at the fastest pace outside of London, wiping thousands off properties that exchanged hands during the pandemic, analysis has found. Truro, Torquay and Exeter saw a spike of interest in the pandemic as Londoners looked westwards during the race for space. But the market is 'unwinding' thanks to a cocktail of price growth correction, increased stamp duty rates, higher mortgage rates and the second homes premium. The average house prices in Truro, Torquay and Exeter have fallen by up to 1.3pc in the past six months – second only to postcodes in West and Central London, according to Zoopla. Torquay's price fall comes after it dropped 1.1pc in the second half of last year. Harry Goodliffe, of mortgage brokerage HTG Mortgages, said: 'House prices in parts of the South West rocketed during the pandemic as buyers scrambled for space and lifestyle, but that kind of demand was never going to be sustainable. 'Now, reality is kicking in and some of those inflated values are adjusting. As the market cools and people weigh up hybrid working more realistically, demand has softened. It's not a crash, it's more of a reset.' The downward pressure on house prices in the South West has been caused by the introduction of the doubled council tax premium for second home owners. A host of councils in the region brought in the penalty this April after being granted powers by the previous Conservative government. A Zoopla spokesman said: 'The South West has always been popular as a location for second homes and investing in holiday rentals, as well as a place to live. 'Market conditions changed, largely on the back of tax changes for investors and double council tax for second home owners which has grown the number of homes for sale boosting buyer choice with prices posting modest price falls.' Telegraph analysis shows the average second home council tax bill has risen to £4,297 since April. Those in Torquay now face an average charge of £4,530, while a typical second home owner in Truro is paying a heftier £4,749. Pete Mugleston, of OnlineMortgageAdvisor, said: 'The South West housing market is now unwinding some of the extreme price growth driven by pandemic-era incentives. 'Low interest rates and the stamp duty holiday made second homes, Airbnb investing and upsizing incredibly attractive during 2020 to 2021. 'But today, mortgage costs are much higher and stamp duty rates have increased, particularly for additional properties. We're seeing a correction in places like Truro and Torquay, where the pandemic boom was sharpest, likely due to dampened second home and investor-driven demand.' Separate findings from Zoopla show that buyer demand is up 11pc, and agreed sales up 8pc year-on-year. The marketplace said the data shows the market is 'defying the typical summer slowdown'. The average UK house price now stands at £268,400, a modest £3,350 increase from this time last year. Richard Donnell, executive director of Zoopla, said: 'The housing market is broadly in balance. We're seeing healthy levels of demand and sales. 'More homes for sale, particularly across southern England, is reinforcing a buyer's market, keeping price rises in check.'
BBC News
21 hours ago
- BBC News
More holidaymakers bringing dogs to South West
Visitors have been sharing experiences of dog-friendly holidays in the South West, as tourism bosses in Cornwall and Devon highlight rising numbers of people visiting with pets since the Covid-19 to Visit Cornwall, pet visits had "significantly" increased, "with businesses rapidly progressing from simply accepting dogs to catering for them in more and more lavish ways". Some accommodation providers and attractions offered specific activity areas and dog spas, with tailored menus in cafés to create a "dog home-from-home experience".Visit Devon described the county as a "dog haven", with 300,000 of them estimated to visit annually. In Polperro, Cornwall, four-year-old cockapoo Waffle is on holiday from Derby, with her owners, Tracy Tweed and Ben Young. "It's unbelievable", Mr Young said, about the harbour village's approach to dogs."She goes on the beach and swims in the harbour every morning, whilst we just wander around the gorgeous streets showing her off."All the pubs have big 'dogs are welcome' signs outside, it's just lovely", he regular visitor, two-year-old toy maltipoo Bubbles is a regular at the resort's weekly 'Woof Wednesdays' socialising event, held at The Blue Peter Inn. The pub gives treats to the pets, and puts photos of the dogs on its wall of Rendell from the pub said: "Recently, we have started doing 'dog of the week' which we almost wished we hadn't as it's so tricky - they are all beautiful, and people love it."Bubbles' owner Barry, visiting from the Midlands, commented how he's offered "biscuits all the time, dog ice cream, if he wants it" and that "everybody wants to stop and talk to him". He said dogs had been accepted and welcomed at all Cornish places they had visited, including Charlestown, Fowey and Falmouth. Down the road in the village, pet-shop turned deli and bar, The Doghouse, offers its customers a range of natural treats, dog beer, an ice bar, along with photo opportunities and fun activities - the most popular being its ball pool owner Gareth Evans said he can sell between 20 to 30 dog beers a day and was expecting this to be his "busiest season yet"."I personally believe Cornwall is getting a really good reputation as a place to bring your dog with you on holiday. The obvious draws are the amazing beaches and walks of which there are so many," he said."Many of the shops keep jars of treats. Of the 20 or so eateries in the village, all but one happily accept dogs."It's also not unusual for some establishments to provide a welcome pack for your dog on arrival. Dogs are also allowed to go on the boat trips too." 'Dog haven' In Devon, 300,000 dogs are estimated to visit each year, according to the South West Visitor Economy Devon's director, Sally Everton, said: "We've certainly seen an increase in dog visitors to Devon, especially since the pandemic. With our two coastlines and national parks, it's idyllic, it's dog haven."So long as people adhere to some seasonal restrictions, it's a very dog-friendly county," she holiday company, Holiday Cottages Polperro, which allows dogs to stay for free, said approximately 70% of its bookings included dogs this year. Another, Holiday Cottages UK, said 67% of its properties in Cornwall were dog-friendly. Ms Everton appreciated not everyone liked dogs, highlighting how access to some beaches in Devon and Cornwall is added owners should be aware of any local restrictions when visiting with their pets.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Homelessness charity calls for clearer government strategy to tackle crisis
A homelessness charity has called for greater clarity on the Government's strategy to tackle rising housing insecurity. Alabaré, which supports vulnerable people across the South West and Wales, has warned that more action is needed to prevent homelessness and improve long-term outcomes. The call comes as new figures from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government reveal that more than 131,000 households were living in temporary accommodation between January and March - a 12 per cent increase on the previous year. Read more People invited to take part in sleepout at Stonehenge for charity Former military leader named as next chairman of homelessness charity Football club to donate bar sales to homelessness charity Alabaré has called for Government action on homelessness. (Image: Alabaré) Andrew Lord, CEO of Alabaré, said: "The rising numbers of people being pushed into poverty and ultimately homelessness are frightening, and we feel it's vital that the government sets out a clear plan, with the support of charities like ours, to turn the corner and make sure those who need the help have access to it." Alabaré provides accommodation and support for people who are homeless or at risk, including veterans, young people and individuals with learning disabilities. The charity also offers emergency and temporary beds for those experiencing mental health crises, along with drop-in services. Mr Lord said: "We'd like to see the Government stick to their commitment of funding for affordable housing and to make sure support services can help people long-term, as well as in times of crisis."
ABC News
2 days ago
- ABC News
Doctor Douglas William McCarthy admits sexually assaulting two teenage girls
A doctor charged with sexual offences against underage teenage girls has pleaded guilty to assaulting two of his accusers, as his court trial continues. WARNING: This article contains details some readers may find distressing. Douglas William McCarthy, 63, is on trial in the WA District Court on sex charges related to eight girls, most of whom were aged 14 and 15 at the time of the alleged offending. The court had heard Mr McCarthy allegedly paid girls for photos, and engaged in sexual acts with them, even keeping a "video library". On Monday morning, he pleaded guilty to two counts of sexual penetration involving one victim, and two counts of sexual penetration involving another victim. Both girls were aged between 13 and 16 at the time. But Mr McCarthy is maintaining he is not guilty of "persistent sexual conduct" involving those girls, which requires three or more separate incidents to be proven. His trial on those charges, and others involving other alleged victims, is continuing. Mr McCarthy largely practised as a GP in the state's South West region when he committed the alleged offences but has since been suspended. The pleas in front of the jury trial came after several days of evidence from alleged victims, both in police interviews and direct testimony to the court. One alleged victim who gave evidence to the court said she had "non-consensual sex" with Mr McCarthy three times and went on to describe one instance in a bathroom. "He didn't ask, he just told," she said. Another alleged victim said she was 15 when she went to see Mr McCarthy at his home, where he allegedly sexually assaulted her on a massage table.
ABC News
2 days ago
- Climate
- ABC News
Flash flooding in southern WA cuts off main road into Gracetown on weekend
Many residents in Western Australia's South West were cut off from their homes at the weekend due to flash flooding, as parts of the region copped more than 100 millimetres of rainfall. The main access road to Gracetown, about 270 kilometres south of Perth, was completely submerged on Sunday, as the South West was hit by harsh conditions for the third time this month. Local photographer Chloe Motzouris raced down to the Cowaramup Bay Road with her drone and children to check out the spectacle. "We had a hell of a lot of rain overnight … a good little adventure with my kids was to go down there and see how high the water had got in our favourite little creek," she said. "To our surprise, the water was over the road." Ms Motzouris said despite the conditions, some people ran the gauntlet and crossed the road. "Me and my little car were not going across there, that's for sure." Ms Motzouris believed it was close to 20 years since the last time flooding closed the road. "The sheer force of the water, I'm surprised it won't cause damage," she said. Shire of Augusta Margaret River president Julia Meldrum said the road was reopened about 10am Monday with reduced speeds. "We had the crew down there this morning, and the water has cleared at the bridge area, but they do need to remove the debris," she said. Councillor Meldrum said there was no major damage to the infrastructure. Margaret River police sergeant Alan Dean said officers had to stop a number of people from putting themselves in danger. "The problem with that obviously is the rocks and the timber and all sorts floating down the river … there are risks there of people being injured or possibly being swept out to sea." Bureau of Meteorology senior meteorologist Jessica Lingard said the heavy rainfall over the past 48 hours had also led to flooding on parts of Caves Road and the Bussell Highway. She urged people to be careful when driving through wet areas. "Remembering it's not just about the water in your car, it's about the road condition underneath those flooded areas, so please drive with caution and obey those road closure signs. "The good news is after three consecutive really wet cold fronts this week … we do now have a little bit of breathing room before our next front is due through later on Friday." According to the Bureau of Meteorology, Wilyabrup, 27km north of Margaret River, received 134mm of rain since Friday morning, while Busselton nearly 60mm and Margaret River 25mm. A DFES spokesperson told the ABC there were 71 call-outs statewide over the weekend, 20 of which were in the South West and Great Southern regions. Busselton SES manager Wayne Credaro said the accumulation of weather events in a short period of time had taken a toll on volunteer emergency services. "Everything has been pretty waterlogged … the rivers are running the highest I've seen for some time," he said. In Perth, a hailstorm pelted much of the central and northern metro area on Sunday afternoon. Almost 50mm of rain fell in Kings Park in the CBD over the past 24 hours.
