But their ban has backfired, according to a report by the London School of Economics. The developers have simply walked away, causing the number of new homes being built to shrink and for prices to soar.
And with the demand for second homes remaining sky high, the ban has just moved focus on to the limited stock of existing properties.
It has even caused house prices to go up in towns nearby.
Prof Christian Hilber, who led the study, said: 'A ban merely shifts demand from new-build to existing homes, thereby reducing the share of permanent residents further and making existing housing stock even less affordable.'

Read more... Metro (UK)