ABSTRACT
The expansion of second home ownership in the United Kingdom and across Europe is indicative of social restructuring and rural change. In the United Kingdom, it is difficult to provide an accurate statistical portrait of the number of second homes given the lack of comprehensive data. Robertson has suggested that decision making is based around ‘utility evaluation’; the decision to acquire a second home is dependant on the notion of ‘anticipated utility’, whilst subsequent decisions concerning the acquisition are based upon ‘actual’ and ‘projected’ utility value. Improved road networks across Europe are opening up new areas to second home seekers whilst the established second home areas are sustained by a process of colonisation whereby existing owners promote the area to friends and relatives. Policy options to regulate second homes may be locally or nationally based, may attempt to enhance housing supply or regulate second home demand, and may fall into category economic and social development or planning and development control.
