One of Helston's Cornwall councillors is calling for changes to the planning system to curb the rise in second homes.

Andrew Wallis will next week urge Cornwall Council to support his stance, as he pushes for an Act of Parliament to make planning permission compulsory for any new properties that are set to become second homes.

He is making the call after obtaining research highlighting the county's second home hotspots.

“I have never been against second homes,” Mr Wallis said.

“They do contribute to the local economy. However, the point I have is there has to be a balance between real live in home, and those that are not.”

According to figures Mr Wallis extracted from Cornwall Council there are 151 second homes in Porthleven, or 8.9 per cent of total dwellings whereas Helston South has 155 second homes, or 7.2 per cent.

In Helston North meanwhile there are 216 second homes, or 8.6 per cent of the total number of houses, while Helston Central has just 23 second homes, or 1.3 per cent.

“As for the total number of second homes in Cornwall, there are 14,446,” Mr Wallis said.

“This is out of a housing stock of 260,077 - 5.5 per cent of all dwellings are classified as second homes.”

Mr Wallis believes an Act of Parliament “must be made” so that anyone wanting to turn a house into a second home or holiday let would require planning permission.

“That way they can be monitored, and with the right policy, stop these types of dwellings having a negative impact on local communities,” he added.