'We're not ogres against holiday homes... it's just about creating homes for people to live in'

INTRODUCING curbs on second homes and holiday lets has been one of the “most pioneering” policies in Cyngor Gwynedd’s history, a senior councillor has claimed.

- Dale Spridgeon

Cllr Craig ab Iago, the council’s cabinet member for environment, and the former cabinet member for housing, said they had to tackle the “massive” homelessness crisis in the county.

The Plaid Cymru councillor, who represents Penygroes, said it was hoped the introduction of Article 4 and council tax premiums would turn the tide against evidence showing that young people leave Gwynedd because house prices are out of their reach.

He said the purpose of Article 4, a planning tool which can remove or restrict permitted development rights on houses, was to try to influence the use of housing to give local people, especially youngsters, a chance to get their foot on the housing ladder in their own communities.

Critics argue the policy affects all home owners by reducing the value of properties, and argue that even if property values fell, most homes would remain out of the reach of local buyers, thus profiting only those looking to move into the area.

Cllr ab Iago said: “At the end of the day, it is just about creating homes for people to live in.

“I wish people could understand, we are not some ogres against holiday homes or Airbnbs, lots of us use them with our families here and on holidays.

“But the situation in Gwynedd is quite unique, we are facing a huge homeless problem with lots of people on waiting lists.

“Yet we also have large numbers of holiday accommodation and second homes, far more than in other areas.