9th August 2006

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Are second homeowners helping to create seasonal ghost towns or are they a valuable source of investment? What are the implications of the rapid growth in second home ownership and how has the growth of student housing impacted on local communities along the North Coast? Will ownership of second homes abroad continue to increase or will more people want second homes locally? New research from the University of Ulster, in conjunction with the Northern Ireland Housing Executive, will shed some light on these and other topics surrounding the second home ownership in Northern Ireland. 

The University has been awarded a £17,000 grant by the Northern Ireland Housing Executive for research into: 'Second homes in Northern Ireland – growth, impact & policy implications'. The research, to be conducted by Professor Chris Paris from the School of the Built Environment, will provide an estimate of the size of the second homes market in Northern Ireland and examine the motivations of owners and residents in the second homes housing market. 

According to Professor Paris, the rapid growth of second home ownership has generated much debate and received extensive media coverage in Northern Ireland as well as the rest of the UK and Ireland. 

“Some people claim that the growth of second home and holiday home ownership is pushing up house and land prices and forcing locals to move out of attractive coastal and inland areas, turning some into ‘seasonal ghost towns’.

However, others claim that second homes bring valuable investment into areas that might otherwise lose population through falling demand for workers in traditional occupations. 

“The aim of our research is to take an objective view of these debates and provide an evidence base for further policy deliberation in Northern Ireland,” he said. 

Initially the research will focus on the Portstewart/Portrush/Portballintrae areas where the impact of second and holiday homes has been compounded by the growth of housing in multiple occupation let primarily to students. Further survey work on second homes will be carried out subsequently in other ‘hot spots’ including parts of Fermanagh and South Down. 

The research is being undertaken in collaboration with the Housing Executive and the Balanced Communities in Coastal Settlements Review Group. Professor Paris is providing technical advice and assistance with the survey, which will also include interviews with a range of interested parties such as community group representatives, housing and planning specialists and members of local government and professional organisations. He will also work with the Housing Executive on a province-wide survey of households aiming to identify wider trends in second home ownership within Northern Ireland and further afield.

Professor Paris welcomes the views and comments of members of the University, both students and staff on this research. He can be contacted at ct.paris@ulster.ac.uk  

For further information, please contact:

Trina Porter
Telephone: 028 71675511
Email: Trina Porter