An alarming surge in the number of holiday homes in Mendip has raised concerns about the impact of tourism on housing availability and affordability for local residents.

According to the latest data, the number of holiday homes in the area has nearly doubled within a year.

The figures, provided by the Government's Valuation Office Agency and property experts Altus Group, reveal that as of the end of May 2022, Mendip had 248 holiday lets trading as businesses, a steep rise from 125 in March 2021.

This boom in "staycationing", spurred by the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, has seen many homeowners capitalising on the trend by converting their second homes into holiday lets. Meanwhile, this increased demand for holiday homes has left many local residents struggling to find affordable rental properties in their hometown.

One Glastonbury resident, Sarah Clark, a single mother of two, said, "It's incredibly frustrating. The rental market in Glastonbury has dried up because so many properties are being turned into holiday lets. It's tough for families like mine who need a place to call home."

Another resident, Tom Young, a teacher, shared, "I grew up in Glastonbury, and I want to raise my family here. But finding a place to rent is almost impossible now, with so many properties being converted into holiday homes. It feels like we're being pushed out of our own town."

Campaign group Generation Rent highlighted the growing problem of holiday homes "taking properties out of the reach of people who need somewhere to live".

Dan Wilson Craw, the deputy director of Generation Rent, said, "The popularity of domestic holidays last year, combined with the lack of regulation and tax advantages, has fuelled the appetite for holiday homes and deprived renters of places to live. That destroys communities and starves local businesses of workers."

A Government spokesperson said it has already introduced a higher rate of stamp duty for second properties, closed tax loopholes on holiday lets in April, and will give councils the power to apply a council tax premium of up to 100% on second homes through the Levelling Up and Regeneration Bill.

They added: "We are taking action to combat the adverse impact that second homes can have on local communities, particularly in tourist areas."