Locals forced out of stunning seaside town as it becomes a 'rich man's playground'

An idyllic town, famed for its surfing beaches and vibrant art scene, is being overshadowed by a growing number of second homes. The picturesque town of St Ives, in Cornwall, attracts approximately 540,000 day visitors and 220,000 overnight guests annually . However, it's also home to a significant number of second homes , purchased by the rich, looking for their own slice of paradise.

This trend has led to local residents feeling displaced as these wealthy part-time inhabitants take over parking spaces with their luxury cars, disregarding the needs of the locals. One resident was forced into living in a van after her flat became an Airbnb rental, reports Cornwall Live . Upon seeking help from the council, she was advised to go to a homeless shelter.

Read more: Lizzy, a St Ives local, expressed her frustration, saying: "Why would you buy a house just to come and use it for a short amount of time? Why wouldn't you just come down and, you know, stay in a hotel?" Lizzy's concerns are shared across much of the community, with many people disheartened by the transformation of their town. Another resident said: "It's just a rich man's playground down here now." Although it is jam-packed during summer, St Ives turns into a desolate place during winter.

Phyllis Rashleigh, a long-time resident said: "Local people don't own St Ives any more. It's all speculative. No lights on anywhere, nothing.

All shut up this time of year, it's just dead, for sale." Zoopla's recent figures indicate t.