HOLIDAY HOME ACTION PLAN
ATOWN council in North Wales is fighting back against an increase in houses bought as holiday homes in the area. The Gwynedd coastal town of Nefyn has seen a surge in second homes being bought since lockdown.
Now councillors are supporting a plan to make anyone looking to convert property for holiday home or AirBnb use to apply for full planning permissions.
They also want to redefine “affordable housing” to reflect the average salary which is as low as £16,000 in parts of Gwynedd.
Rhys Tudur, a member of the town council, put forward a notion proposing a plan to address the “fragile” situation affecting the community.
In response, Mr Tudur received full support from the council.
The council is now looking to gain the support of the county council and the Welsh Government on the matter.
Rhys Tudur said: “Our recent study by our member, Rhys Llewelyn, has found that the situation is fragile for the local people of this area.
“We acknowledge that, as town council, we don’t have the power to pass these measures, but we hope to pass the motion, present policies that could bring attention to this emergency and show that the council is seriously thinking about potential solutions.”
The council would now like to see more powers given to local government to deal with the housing market.
They are also demanding that houses on the market should be offered to local people first and redefine “affordable housing” so that prices are considerate of the average wages in Gwynedd.
Under the local development plan for Gwynedd and Môn, the town council also pointed out that only a few areas were noted down as “coastal areas” for affordable houses to be built, such as nearby Morfa Nefyn and Edern but not for places such as Nefyn.
With this in mind, the town council revealed it was supporting the notion that the plan should change and that all areas in Gwynedd should be protected by it.
In regards to second homes, the town council stated it would like to see people who are planning to buy properties and convert them to holiday homes or AirBnbs, to apply for an official planning permission, and to pay an increased council tax on such properties so that it reflects the fact that Gwynedd has the highest percentage of houses identified as second homes in Wales.
People like 27-year-old Mared Llywelyn, who lives in nearby Morfa Nefyn, has welcomed the news about the town council’s proposal.
“I work part time in libraries and as a freelancer,” she told North Wales Live.
“I live in my family home in Morfa Nefyn and it’s impossible for a person like me to be on a low wage, young and unable to even buy a flat in the area.
“There aren’t many young people around here now – they all go to places like Caernarfon to find work and affordable housing.
“It just goes to show that it goes beyond housing, it’s to do with investment and work in the area as well.
“I’m angry more than sad over the situation, but really happy that proactive steps are being taken to address the situation that has been here for decades. Everyone’s worried, but also everyone that I know is willing to do whatever it takes to protect the housing market and the community here.”
County councillor Gruffydd Williams, who has been vocal about the buying of properties as second homes in the past, revealed that it was refreshing to see young people take control of the situation.
Mr Williams said: “This has become a prominent issue now more than ever because housing prices are out of reach for so many young people in this area.
“It was a problem in Abersoch, then in places such as Edern and Morfa Nefyn, and this knock-on effect is now reaching Nefyn. We can’t have our younger generations forced out of the places they are from because they can’t afford to live here.
“There will be no one here, no jobs, no support and no community. There needs to be a change and let the idea of staying local be an option for everybody.
“What’s been so refreshing is seeing the likes of Rhys Llewelyn and Rhys Tudur – young people, members of the town council – showing interest and action towards the situation.”