TOURIST HOT SPOT BACKS SECOND HOME CAP

12.00.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Fri 11th Apr 2008

Nine out of every ten businesses in Fowey want to see a cap on the number of second homes in the town, according to a recent survey carried out by Fowey's Liberal Democrat Parliamentary candidate Stephen Gilbert.

Stephen Gilbert said: "Despite Fowey's status as one of Cornwall's premier tourist destinations it is very telling that local businesses want to limit the number of second homes. Too many second homes in an area can damage a community and hurt local traders particularly in the off season months."

Concern about the availability of housing was also high on the traders list of worries, with 90% of those surveyed supporting more affordable housing for local people.

Stephen Gilbert said: "I went to Fowey School and, sadly, like many of my classmates I am now priced out of the housing market - we need to ensure that local people are able to live in the communities in which they grew up."

The Liberal Democrats campaign against the Government's programme of Post Office closures was also supported by businesses in Fowey who all said that they did not wish to see either of the town's Post Offices close.

Stephen Gilbert said: "Post Offices are the cornerstones of local communities performing crucial functions for everyone from businesses and young families to elderly pensioners. We need to see more investment, not more closures."

The survey also showed that businesses in Fowey were concerned about the level of policing in the town and the ease of access for parking.

Stephen Gilbert said: "Parking always has been an issue in Fowey and, of course, the geography makes it difficult to see an easy solution. I will be meeting with Restormel Borough Council to see what can be done."

Some 80% of traders said that they thought there was an insufficient police presence in the town, although 70% believed that Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs) have made a positive difference.

When asked what the main problems were - a fifth (20%) of traders said that anti-social behaviour had increased over the last year.

Stephen Gilbert added: "At the last meeting of the Devon and Cornwall Police Authority I called on the police to crack-down on anti-social behaviour. It is a real issue for people across the constituency."