Local Persons restriction seem a bit racist? Or am I overthinking?

[dartmoorgirl12]

We're house hunting on Dartmoor (clue's in the name!) at the moment, and we've seen a house with a Local Persons restriction on it. You have to live or work in the local or neighbouring parish for the previous five years. We actually qualify, but it got me thinking... Isn't it a bit weird that the "protected" group here are extremely likely to be white/broadly Christian. It just seems really exclusive for 2023. I do understand the idea that local communities should be protected, and that there is absolutely toxic housing pressure in Dartmoor at the moment. But ironically I live down here now because we got royally outpriced in the bit of London I grew up in. And there def doesn't seem to be any move to have Local Persons protections on various parts of London, which have been rapidly gentrified in recent times. I just thought it was interesting. Why is it that this group of white people get protected in this way?

You've definitely been to DP's home village, then.

Not one place to rent on a residential basis, most for sale are hugely overpriced as Air BnB potential or cash only.

The OP said white and Christian

Why is it that this group of white people get protected in this way?

This is what the OP said. Plus Christians

....ok?
Was the 'random punter' not able to read or discuss the terms of their representation, then?

I have no idea, they should be able to do it

At first glance having this sort of local connection requirment does sound like indirect racism as it would, in this case, disproportionately exclude ethnic minority groups. Certainly the requirement imposed by Hillingdon for a local connection in allocating social housing was challenged and found, on appeal, to be discriminating against non-UK citizens and Irish travellers.

osborneslaw.com/blog/court-of-appeal-finds-local-authority-social-housing-allocation-scheme-unlawfully-discriminates-on-the-basis-of-race-2/

I love that Mumsnet can come up with this stuff. Thanks so much, @greenleader , that's so interesting.

But what about the people who grew up near London and can't afford to live there because of all the people who came with their money? Or in our case a 1 hour commute from London whose house prices have almost doubled in the last 5 years. It does seem ridiculous that there are no protections for locals in most of the South East. I've never seen any round us.

I agree there should be. Young people in in the south east are also forced out from the communities within which they grew up, away from family, friends and networks. Because they've been priced out by people from more affluent places cashing in on their expensive London properties.

It seems the OP wants to sue. It's not clear why as she is not affected

It was a refugee in this case. It's unclear where he got the funds for this

Maybe OP you believe refugees are more worthy of being in Dartmoor than local families?

There si difference between providing social housing (renting to those who need it) and this scheme on buying. Plus 10 years is bit disproportionate admittedly.

No one sane will try to sue this scheme. They wouldn't just be hated in area, but in every part of GB where this scheme is (not sure if s106 in all uk, but EA2010 only applies to GB so would probably need different case for NI ). They would also most likely lose and have to emigrate frankly.

Agreed. But OP seems to be on a mission trying to extract information on MN in order to do something. It's not clear what. Lefty MN saviours and others are obliging

Those pesky Dartmoor locals had better be prepared (especially those who are white and Christians - I'm only paraphrasing OP's words)

I am going more with hoped it will lead to some good racist posts

I'm not sure. OP's questions are very targeted and specific

Maybe the op thinks there's something in it for them.

Wish we had it to protect the communities where I live in the South East. Depending on where you live in the country that will reflect who makes up your community and then that should be protected. I don't think it's prejudiced. Sorry.

It's a big loss. My children will have to move away when it comes to trying to get housing. Same for the majority really unless they become really high earning. Or stay at home for ever. And they in turn force other communities to move out. It's an endless pattern of destruction. Gone are those family and friend support networks. And instead paid child care, trying to manage with tiny families and limited support, isolation and poor mental health. I would think, if there's a desire for people to stay closer to home, that people should be able to secure affordable housing near their family networks so they can do that.

I am sure you have this scheme too or will have soon. It'slaunching all over.

hoa.org.uk/advice/guides-for-homeowners/i-am-buying/first-homes-scheme/

Now the one op is talking about is older, but it's the same princip. Local workers and locals can get discount (on overpriced newbuilds though). Properties are earmarked from it in developments like with social housing for example.

I did learn something new from this thread! I was aware of it with £1 houses. You had to be local and you then had to live there for 5 years afaik. You also had to be continuously at work last 5 years.

Thats brilliant. I do hope it comes to where I am soon.

Indeed. It looks like the courts would probably find that the measures in Dartmoor are indirect racial discrimination but they might be deemed acceptable and proportionate to acheive the aims being sought in a way they were not for Hillingdon. We'll only really know if the case is actually tested in court.

It's very likely.

It's an endless pattern of destruction. Gone are those family and friend support networks. And instead paid child care, trying to manage with tiny families and limited support, isolation and poor mental health. I would think, if there's a desire for people to stay closer to home, that people should be able to secure affordable housing near their family networks so they can do that.

Exactly, and I don't agree that it should only be for key workers. As you say, what about a mum who's not a key worker but relies on family for childcare, or simply someone who wants to be safe being close to family and life-long friends?

I don't. Personally I believe all housing should be social housing. No one has a right to own. But I was pointing out that anyone who has lived in that area for five years is then eligible to buy the properties the OP is talking about, so if someone genuinely wanted to live there (rather than buy up properties as holiday homes or air BnB lets) they could move there and rent first.