Whitby's property prices up 17% in year - here's what you said about the town's housing crisis

It comes as Rightmove has revealed its list of coastal towns with the biggest price growth in a year – Whitby is the highest in Yorkshire and second highest in the UK.

Property prices have jumped 17% in the town over the past year, says Rightmove, giving an average asking price now of £254,218.

Only Padstow was higher, with a 20% increase.

But Gazette readers are becoming increasingly fed up with being priced out of buying property locally.

Peter Croft of Upgang Lane wrote to us to urge local authorities to “grasp the nettle” and stop conversion of family homes into holiday lets, before Whitby ends up as a “holiday theme park with no community”.

In another letter to the Gazette, Asa Jones of The Garth said young people are leaving Whitby in their droves, unable to afford property prices on low wages, urging the town to build a community in which it is sustainable for local people to work and thrive.

Whitby borough councillor Phil Trumper recently called for a primary residence scheme for the town, making it easier for local people to buy local homes.

We asked our readers what they thought of the current housing dilemma.

Sarah Garrod said: "We need to concentrate on our community and its needs, ie people who live here need support, not holiday homes taking over.

"We, the community, have a voice and we should be heard and listened to."

Jessica Pound outlined one of the biggest problems for people looking to get on the first rung of the ladder.