Authority still hopes to apply second homes rule despite court defeat

GWYNEDD homeowners looking to convert their properties to second homes and holiday lets are being advised to first seek planning advice.

- By ANDREW FORGRAVE

Cyngor Gwynedd issued the advice despite losing a legal bid to suspend a measure it introduced to curb the number of holiday homes in the county

Worried about the availability and affordability of housing for local people, in September 2024 Gwynedd became the first authority in Wales to implement an Article 4 Direction. This required people to secure planning consent to turn a residential property into a second home or holiday let.

Legal action was launched by residents claiming it would devalue homes and make them harder to sell.

In September, High Court judge Mr Justice Eyre quashed Article 4, ruling that Gwynedd’s cabinet had not been given the full details before it made its decision.

This verdict was reiterated late last week when the judge refused the council’s request to suspend his initial order while it considered an appeal.

Cyngor Gwynedd has subsequently confirmed it intends to appeal the original court decision.