Derbyshire Dales Residents Face Housing Crisis Amid Surge in Holiday Rentals

The Derbyshire Dales encompasses a significant portion of the Peak District National Park and is situated near four prominent UK cities: Manchester, Sheffield, Derby, and Nottingham. Its desirable location and scenic beauty have made it a favored destination for families, visitors, and tourists, especially since the coronavirus pandemic led to a decrease in international travel. However, similar to inhabitants in Cornwall and Yorkshire, families in this picturesque region of England are encountering difficulties in acquiring housing, as an increasing number of properties are being utilized as second homes and holiday rentals. One family informed the BBC that the scarcity of housing, impacting both availability and affordability, has driven them to the verge of “giving up.” Dee Goddard, who grew up “down south,” acknowledges the irony, stating that she initially relocated to the area because “we thought it would be a cheaper option.” The 31-year-old has resided in the Derbyshire Dales, specifically in the village of Curbar, with her son and husband Baris for approximately two years. Dee and her husband, both employed by the University of Sheffield, currently allocate over 50% of their income to rent and council tax, excluding other household bills. This makes saving for the future, alongside locating a suitable home to purchase, “very difficult.” “We have a one-year-old son, we’d love for him to grow up here, all our friends are here, we’re very embedded in the local community, we attend church here, but it’s really difficult to find anything that’s affordable,” she says. Dee notes that prior to the coronavirus pandemic, it was considerably simpler to locate housing suitable for raising a family. “I have notifications on my phone of the properties that become available, and there are just so few,” she states. “At the moment it’s just impossible – we’re being priced out.” Last year, the average house price in the Dales stood at £350,548, as reported by the UK House Price Index. This contrasts with £270,733 in the adjacent High Peak, which also serves as a tourist hub. Latest data released by Derbyshire Dales District Council reveals the presence of 35,595 residential properties in the area in May 2024. By October, 1,053 of these were identified as second homes, while 1,302 were holiday lets. However, in certain villages within the Dales, the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) states that second homes and holiday lets account for a quarter of all residential units. The LDRS also recently referenced a report from The Times and Inside Airbnb, which indicated the district possessed one of the highest densities of Airbnbs in the Midlands. Dee says: “Tourism benefits everyone – there’s local jobs promoted by tourism – but at what cost?” “A couple of the houses near us are all holiday homes, so it’s really quiet. There aren’t people at the play group for me to hang out with, because there aren’t people here.” “We have to think about the balance between tourism and people actually living in the villages that give them their soul and heart, because people otherwise are going to be visiting and there will be no village community for them to enjoy.” She further stated: “I think we’re at the point of giving up already. It’s really sad to think of, because all our friends are here, and you imagine your child going to the school near where you live.” Three miles away, O