THE impact of second homes on small rural communities will be looked at by a new Government body, it was announced yesterday.

The Affordable Rural Housing Commission, chaired by the former political editor of Channel 4 News, Elinor Goodman, aims to find ways of helping people in rural areas get a home.

The commission will report to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister.

At the launch yesterday, Ms Goodman said she planned to look at measures taken to reduce the impact of second-home ownership in the national parks.

This is likely to include steps taken by the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority.

Earlier this year, the authority introduced planning laws preventing houses being built as second homes or holiday cottages.

The move was taken after a shortage of affordable housing for local people was identified.

Peter Watson, head of planning at the national park authority, said last night: "The first few applications under the restricted occupancy scheme are now starting to come in.

"We should soon start to see a growing supply of local needs housing."