‘It’s too late for our village’ – how second homes crisis is affecting communities on Ynys Môn
Ynys Môn has the thirdhighest proportion of all second homes in Wales. While tourism is welcome, many feel the island’s identity is being eroded as locals are priced out of the housing market. Branwen Jones reports
AS YOU leave Bangor and head on to the Menai Suspension Bridge, a sign reads: “Mon, Mam Cymru”.
The Isle of Anglesey was once known as the “Mother of Wales” because its fertile lands were considered capable of providing sufficient food for the whole of Wales.
Over the years, the island has remained true to its identity by providing various job opportunities through the renewable energy sector, farming, fisheries and tourism.
Ynys Môn has also attracted tourists and visitors from far and wide. It’s easy to see why, with the stunning island boasting unspoilt coastlines, historic coastal paths, and clusters of smaller islands such as Ynys Seiriol and Ynys Llanddwyn.
Regarded as one of the Welsh language’s strongholds, around 61.2% of the island’s population can speak Welsh – the second-highest county throughout Wales.
But some fear the language is under threat amid the second homes crisis.
With the Welsh Government’s second homes’ consultation under way, some are now concerned that proposals for a higher rate of Land Transaction Tax have come “too late” for some communities on the island.
Former councillor Elfed Jones has lived in the picturesque seaside village of Moelfre throughout most of his life. Located on the north-east coast of the island, Moelfre remains a testament to the island’s rich maritime history.
Today, the village’s small harbour comprises a narrow cove with a high stone wall on the seaward side and boats are beached on the shingle bank. A walk up the coastal path can take you to its most scenic beaches, an old boathouse, the Seawatch Centre, the Royal Charter memorial and the current lifeboat station.
An image of what life once was, according to Elfed.
“When I think back on my childhood, I have only fond memories of this place,” he said. “Everyone spoke Welsh – everyone knew each other and helped one and other. We were a close-knit community.
“Early in the morning, my friends and I would jump on a boat and go fishing. Nearly every field was a playing field for us. You could do whatever you wanted.
“But then everything changed. Now, there’s no Welsh on the streets, I hardly know anyone and this place is a playground for the rich.”
According to Welsh Government’s most recent data (2021-22), Ynys Môn had the third-highest proportion of all second homes in Wales with 9%. Gwynedd was first with 20% and Pembrokeshire was second with 16%.
Overall, 2,005 additional second homes in Wales have been registered since the first recording in 2017-18, which was an increase of 9%. On Ynys Môn, an additional 668 second homes had been registered, seeing a significant proportional increase of 45%.
With the percentage of second homes growing, Plaid Cymru and Ynys Môn politician Rhun ap Iorwerth has warned the significant impact this could have on villages such as Moelfre “where up to three-quarters of houses are now said to be second homes”.
Ynys Môn was the first authority in Wales to introduce the council tax premium in 2017, with the proceeds targeted towards helping local firsttime buyers on to the property ladder. In October of last year, decision-makers considered increasing the premium charged on holiday homes from 35% to 50% by 2022 and plan to further increase it to 100% by 2024.
Ward-level figures taken from the Valuation Office Agency by Dafydd Elfryn show that Moelfre’s ward – Lligwy, which also include the villages of Benllech and Marian-glas – had 194 holiday homes, the highest proportion throughout the island. The ward of Seiriol, which includes Beaumaris and Llanddona, had 161 holiday homes, while the ward of Ynys Cybi had 140 holiday homes. In comparison, over in Gwynedd, the ward of Abersoch in Pen Llyn had 131 holiday homes.
A quick search on Rightmove will find a terraced house for sale in Moelfre at £400,000 and a three-bedroom bungalow for sale at £425,000.
Elfed, 77, claims he has seen the impact surging housing prices has had on Moelfre, the Welsh language and ultimately the village’s sense of community.
“When I got married, I moved out of the village for five years but then moved back when I got work on Ynys Môn in 1975,” he explained.
“I instantly realised that things had changed. When I went to the pub, the landlord told me, ‘Go sit in the corner over there with the locals’. But they weren’t locals – there were only four of us that could speak Welsh and the rest were people that had moved here.
“It has changed even more now – it’s worse than ever before. I believe there are only a dozen of us here that are left behind. It is so different to how it was when we were children, and people just don’t know the history here. A former teacher of mine at the local school died recently – she was 100 years old. But no-one knew her and that broke my heart. She had dedicated her whole life to this village; her whole life to the heart of this community by providing education to children of the area.
“The Welsh language is so important to communities like Moelfre, but unfortunately it is dying out very quickly here. Exactly like that teacher, it is a part of this community – they are the community, we are the community.”
He added: “The situations in Ynys Mon and Pen Llyn are no different to one and other – it is the same situation.
“But I would argue, perhaps, that the situation is worse here. People and young adults can’t afford a house here – perhaps a small house, bungalow for around £300,000 – local people don’t have a hope in hell to get a mortgage.”
One person who cannot afford to buy a house in the area is Elfed’s grandson Jordan Space. For the past five years, the 30-year-old security officer has been living with his grandparents in Moelfre.
“I’ve been trying to look for a house in the area for years so I can be closer to my grandparents and look after them,” he explained.
“But all the houses in Amlwch, Benllech and here in Moelfre are out of my reach – it’s impossible to try and find a house and those that are off the market are all holiday homes.
“It’s extremely frustrating and I know that a lot of my friends the same age have found themselves in a similar situation – they are all living at home and struggling to find a house.
“I want my own space and a place where I can start a family, but all those plans have been put on hold for now.”
Currently, the Welsh Government wants the public’s view on proposed local variation to Land Transaction Tax (LTT) rates for second homes, short-term holiday lets and potentially other additional residential proper
ties. They are consulting on changes to LTT to give “more opportunity to people who are looking to buy homes for permanent occupation”.
Issues include the size of areas in which local variations could take place, the procedure for identifying the areas where different rates may apply and the types of transactions that could be subject to different rates in local areas. The consultation period will come to an end in March.
The Welsh Government has also announced that the historical constituency of Dwyfor in Gwynedd has been selected to be a testbed for radical ideas to tackle the problem of second homes.
“This issue has been going on for years,” Jordan explained.
“There needs to be a new law to ensure that young people like myself can buy a house in their local area. We can’t go on like this or there won’t be a community left.
“It’s hard to tell how it’ll pan out until we see them taking actions. It’s our only hope, but I’m not holding my breath.”
But for Elfed Jones, the Welsh Government’s consultation has come “too late”.
He said: “The community as it is
now is 10% of what it was when I was a child.
“In my opinion, in some ways it feels like the Welsh-speaking community has come to an end here, it’s too late to do anything about it and I don’t know what to do about the situation”.
He added: “A consultation happened two years ago, and that didn’t do any sort of difference, I feel. This was two years ago and now they are looking at it again – it’s a long process.
“Once, someone showed me a painting they had bought of the area – it showed Moelfre at night. I told them that it wasn’t a true representation of Moelfre today and they asked me why.
“I pointed out all the houses in the painting and told them that they were all brightly lit. But the thing is, there are no lights in those houses during winter – they’re all summer homes. It’s only during the summer you’ll have the lights.
“I told them to have a look around the village – next to the bay, up that hill and right up to the chapel – every single house, apart from four, were holiday homes. And just as sure as those dark nights, I fear it’s too late for villages like Moelfre.”