Residents of Langton Matravers, a coastal village on Dorset's Isle of Purbeck, have reacted angrily after Dorset Council granted a property developer permission to convert one of the homes on a new estate into a holiday let, despite a condition that had barred second homes and holiday lets. The decision matters because the area is among Britain's worst for housing affordability, and villagers fear the ruling weakens protections meant to keep new homes available to local families as primary residences.

The estate of 19 houses, built by Old Malthouse Purbeck Ltd, was originally approved on the basis that every property would be a primary home. The developer later applied for a change of use for one house, arguing that the new-builds were not selling. Villagers accused the council of "rolling over" to the developer, and Peter Golob, vice chairman of the parish council, warned that the decision could "open the flood gates" and set a precedent. Local property prices have risen over 20 years to an average of £447,000, blamed on second-home ownership, and existing second homes in the village have previously been targeted with graffiti such as "Greed".