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Since the completion of a new housing development at the end of 2023, two different estate agencies have been actively promoting the sale of “high specification” three-bedroom semi-detached homes to holidaymakers, according to planning documents. These properties represent the second phase of a broader housing project, following an initial launch of 20 holiday homes that sold quickly. However, the remaining 14 homes from this second phase have struggled to find buyers.
Simon Barrie James of PLanD development consultants highlighted in a planning statement that the first batch of 20 homes was sold prior to significant tax reforms which have considerably affected the local property market. The unsold houses have been impacted by increased transaction taxes on second homes and holiday rentals, higher council tax rates for second properties, and a shift in public perception regarding the community effects of holiday homes. Over two and a half years of marketing, the asking price for these homes has been reduced multiple times, with the latest asking price set at £250,000 as of summer 2025.
In 2022, new policies were introduced in Wales that could raise the council tax for some second home owners to up to four times their previous amount starting in 2023. On Anglesey, second home owners are currently required to pay double the standard council tax unless they rent out their properties for at least 182 days a year. Planning documents reveal that as of late 2023, second and holiday homes accounted for around 10% of the total housing supply on the island, a proportion higher than in many other parts of Wales and the UK. Furthermore, a BBC report from June 2023 noted that Anglesey experienced the largest increase in holiday home ownership in England and Wales over the past decade.
The planning report emphasized that although 14 modern family homes are ready for occupancy, occupancy restrictions attached to the consent make these properties “unattractive in the market for the consented, restricted use,” even with substantial price reductions. Despite this, at least 37 families, mostly local to Anglesey, have expressed interest in purchasing the homes as permanent residences within the island’s close-knit community, which includes amenities such as a community hall, pub, and golf course. The report’s author mentioned that the development owner might agree to sales restrictions limiting buyers to those with a connection to Anglesey. Furthermore, the construction of a pioneering nuclear power station on the island, projected to create up to 3,000 jobs, could significantly influence the housing demand and local market. The report warns that without intervention, an imbalance between employment opportunities and available housing could result in increased commuting distances.
Estate agents Beresford Adam and Dafydd Hardy also noted difficulties selling other local developments restricted to second home use, stating in a marketing report provided to council planners that all such sites have generated minimal interest, with many completed units remaining empty. The local planning authority is currently reviewing an application related to this development, with a decision expected by 24 July. Representatives from Anglesey Council confirmed the ongoing consideration, while the Welsh government declined to comment
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