Holiday home – look no further than your doorstep

A lot of people looking to buy a second ‘holiday home' may be feeling glum following recent press reports concerning Gordon Brown's inquiry into second home ownership.

Once his inquiry is complete, it's expected that it will recommend that local authorities have the power to prevent non-residents from buying homes in certain desirable areas of the UK - if they do not intend to make the property their main place of residence.

But according to Joy Goodman, sales director at Miller Homes East Midlands, this could be great news for the region.

"The areas that are expected to be hit by the inquiry and following recommendations are Cornwall, Devon and Norfolk - areas popular with holidaymakers, with subsequently high property prices," explains Joy.

"The East Midlands is expected to be lucky enough to avoid being part of this inquiry, by nature of its buoyant employment market, but my advice to those seeking out an alternative holiday home location who wish to avoid the inevitable red tape, is to look within this region.

"This area not only has the tourist destinations - albeit not the most obvious ones, but it also has the benefit of a performing economy with great employment prospects and provides an ideal central base to just about everywhere. I think that the following areas could see a rise in their attraction as second home destinations following this inquiry and recommendations:

1. The Derbyshire Peaks would be my first choice, as this immensely popular destination has been a holiday retreat for years and offers some of the most stunning scenery and friendly warm communities in the UK.

2. The Vale of Belvoir in Nottinghamshire also provides homeowners and holiday makers with un-spoilt beautiful English countryside retreats, with many historic places of interest and great commuter links to Nottingham and Lincoln - if homeowners want to mix holiday time with work.

3. North Kesteven in Lincolnshire not only offers the splendid rural isolation of the fenland countryside, but also boasts the closest proximity to the sea in the East Midlands - being around an hour's drive away from isolated beaches.

4.And finally, with city breaks being so popular with holiday makers, perhaps we shouldn't discount Nottingham, Derby, Leicester and Lincoln's excellent mix of shopping, live entertainment, bars, restaurants, glorious heritage and rich mix of cultures."

Anyone wanting to find out more about Miller Homes East Midlands' properties available for sale can visit the Miller Homes website, Millerhomes.co.uk/explore/EastMidlands and use the site's ‘home search' facility.