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The council of a Welsh county has reported a decline in the number of properties purchased as second homes in the region within the past year. In a bid to tackle a housing shortage issue, Cyngor Gwynedd implemented a mandatory requirement for property owners to obtain planning permission before converting a residential property into a holiday let or second home back in September 2024. Statistics reveal that between July 2024 and June 2025, the number of second homes acquired in Gwynedd dropped to 250 from 290 the previous year. Despite facing criticism from some second home owners, one local resident praised the initiative for its positive impact on preserving communities.
Research conducted by the local authority highlighted that 65% of individuals in the county were being priced out of the housing market, reflecting the pressing need for sustainable communities in Gwynedd. Concerns were raised by campaigners regarding the potential effects of an Article 4 Direction, fearing it could impede house sales and diminish property values. According to data from the Principality Building Society, there was a 7.2% decrease in the average house prices in Gwynedd over the past 12 months. Despite this decline, the average property still stands at £288,800 in Gwynedd, surpassing the average across Wales.
Although some residents have expressed discontent with the council’s policies, others like William Owen from Nefyn are supportive of the measures. Mr. Owen is currently in the process of converting his family home into a holiday let, emphasizing the economic benefits it could bring to the local community. He acknowledged the council’s intention to make housing more affordable for young people but questioned the fairness of imposing such policies on current homeowners. Cyngor Gwynedd’s imposition of a 150% tax premium on second homes has also garnered mixed reactions, with individuals like Nick Brown emphasizing the importance of job creation to address the underlying issue of housing affordability
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