Icey | Fri 10th July 2009
2nd homes are a problem for Alderney and many young islanders have already been forced elsewhere in the hope of finding affordable accommodation that is partly due to this. Now it seems as though there are to be even more Holiday homes at Saye Farm if the Building Development and Control Committee agree! How hypercritical, given that the proposed developer not so long ago told a friend of mine that they thought that building in Alderney should stop for good for everyone as the island was being spoiled. My, how opinions change when there is a chance of getting permission for 4 more building permits! Opening up the Green belt again for development is going to start another revolt. One rule for one, and one for another! Ludicrous!

KT | Fri 22nd May 2009
Spanish Fly: If you can afford a 2nd home on the Rock, you can afford the flights

Andy | Tue 5th May 2009
My comments still stand if you can afford 2 homes then pay up as you are depriving the Islanders of 1 home.

Doug White | Mon 4th May 2009
Coming from the Westcountry I can sympathise with the feelings of Alderney locals who see perfectly good homes left empty for 50 weeks of the year. We see it all too often here too.

The expenditure of a family in a fortnight can never equate to that spent in a year. Then add in some income tax and you're adding an awful lot to the economy of the island that is not really added by owners of unoccupied dwellings.

Of course, if the dwelling is also used for short term holiday letting then that is a more positive use of the house and brings value to the community.

I must say I'm quite shocked that there are some 400 holiday homes - it is too many for you to have on a small island.

It is vacuous to blame the airlines for high fares and your lack of visits. The fixed costs of running a commercial airline are high and the aircraft only small. If you need cheap flights buy a holiday home in the Algarve not Alderney.

An additional charge will help to focus minds I think. We can't do this in Devon and Cornwall but you have the power to do this for yourselves.

ace | Sun 3rd May 2009
A simple service charge, much like one would pay on an apartment is all that's needed. Something that's equivalent to a the average tax per household paid (About £4500 per year).
An additional 400 families living on the island, each consuming, each with family and friends paying to visit would absolutely transform the island for the better. Alderney is the ONLY place in the world that you can buy a property and simply leave it untouched and not have to spend another penny on tax. You can't even pitch a tent on the island with costs that low!

Andy | Fri 6th March 2009
Come off it people with 2 homes push up the house prices for locals - they need and can afford the extra taxation.

KT | Fri 7th November 2008
I think the proposed tax is a good idea. If you are affluent enough to be able to afford a second home on the Rock, then you can afford the tax. And the flights, maybe? I know quite few people with second homes who see it as an investment opportunity or as "kudos"! The locals are being forced off the island to look for cheaper homes on the mainland as they can't afford the house prices on the Rock - but this is another issue. Or is it? I live in the UK now as I cannot afford to move back home to Alderney. I feel cheated and very angry, but not all of us are millionaires. The States therefore have my support, such as it is.

spanish fly | Thu 6th November 2008
The phrase "a contribution" to the economy, in my opinion, was very economical with the truth. The fact is that the building, retail, travel, hostelry and service sectors of the economy DEPEND on second home owners for the majority of their income. We as a household, if you include all our subscriptions to the various sports clubs and charities, spend about £20,000 per annum on the island. We are NOT alone on this one.

For time eternal, it is has been all too easy to criticise 2nd home owners.

The truth is that VERY MANY second home owners would LOVE to come to Alderney much more often. However the airlines make it financially impossible for most owner families to visit their places more than once or twice a year. There are NEVER any "Come On, let's go, easy jet " style prices and the full fare return to Southampton (£201) is laughable in its extortion. Second home owners love Alderney..they want to visit and spend more and they always buy locally. Many have had an association with the island in excess of 45 years. Their real contribution needs to be FULLY ASSESSED and PROPERlY and IMPARTIALLY publicised. Then decide on the next step and NOT before.