Hollowed out Looe – the impact of the tourist sector

The settlement of Looe provides a good example of the impact of tourism on a town.  Using census data we can see how the town has changed over time.[[Data based on the Looe and Polperro Mid Super Output Area]. 

 

First lets look at dwelling numbers.  There has been an increase of 413 or 14%. The number of occupied dwellings fell being lower in 2021 than in 2001.  In contrast the number of unoccupied dwellings increased by 102%.

 

 

Dwellings	2001	2011	2021	Change	%
All	2947	3252	3360	413	14
Occupied	2492	2509	2440	-52	-2
Unoccupied	455	748	920	465	102

 

Owner occupied with residents numbers fell by 6% while owner occupied without residents rose by 102%.  Social rented rose by 2% but private rented increased by 19%.

 

Tenure	2001	2011	2021	Change	%
Owned occupied	1831	1864	1756	-108	-6
Owned not occupied	455	748	920	465	102
Social rented	175	185	188	3	2
Private rented	375	405	476	71	19
All	2947	3252	3360	108	3.7

 

The population fell by 5%, whereas the population of Cornwall  rose by 14%.

 

	2001	2011	2021	Change	%
Population	5,290	5,325	5005	-285	-5
HH pop	5,179	5,269	4930	-249	-5

 Conclusion

Looe is a good example of how tourism where properties are turned over for use as second homes and holiday lets, impacts on the local community.  As well as restricting housing availability house prices are pushed higher.  As a consequence local residents are squeezed out. The increase in private rented properties also reduces choice for local residents.  Looe is in effect a ‘rentier economy’ where profits from housing are used to benefit a small group of owners, the majority of whom live outside Cornwall. Over 1,300 dwellings are owned by people who gain an income from such properties. That’s about 38% of the total housing stock.  The area has also seen a significant increase in the number of caravans used by households.

 

Looe has become over-dependent on tourism, hollowed out and unsustainable.

Sources

Census 2001, 2011, 2021.