Concerns raised about second home owners staying in Northumberland village

Beadnell resident Geoff Martindale raised the issue at a virtual meeting of Beadnell Parish Council.

He called on the parish council to make a statement to holiday home and second home owners ‘who have seemed to camp out in Beadnell’.

“You only have to walk around Beadnell to see the evidence,” he said.

The village has among the highest proportion of holiday and second homes in the country.

Figures from the 2011 census show that 55.3% of homes in Beadnell were not permanently occupied.

However, the parish council felt the issue was one for Northumbria Police to resolve.

Coun Jen Hall said: “Personally, I feel this is something the Government has covered, Guy (Renner-Thompson, the local county councillor) has raised on social media and the police have been informed. I can’t see what benefit there would be in the parish council doing anything.

“I think if Geoff has got evidence he should contact the police himself.”

Coun John Rhind added: “I am sure the police have considered this and I don’t think there is anything we can add.”

The Government advises that essential travel does not include visits to second homes, camp sites, caravan parks or similar, whether for isolation purposes or holidays. People must remain in their primary residence. Not taking these steps puts additional pressure on communities and services that are already at risk.

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