AQW 33883/22-27

Ms Claire Sugden
Independent
East Londonderry

Tabled Date: 20/10/2025
Answered On Date: 11/12/2025
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister for Communities to detail any actions his Department will take to support the long-term sustainability of coastal communities experiencing housing pressures from second home ownership, and short-term holiday lets.

Answer:

My Department is currently carrying out research on second home ownership to improve our understanding of the issues. In addition to this, officials from my Department are working with colleagues in DfE and DfI to scope and commission research on the nature, scale and potential impacts of short-term holiday lets on local housing markets.

Action to address locally specific issues and ensure long term sustainability of local communities is primarily taken forward through the Local Development Plan process. Local Councils are responsible for bringing forward appropriate policies for their own areas in their Local Development Plans to support the creation of balanced communities and ensure the spatial growth requirements of the local area can be met.