Park Authority settles how and where new 2nd home curbs apply

THRESHOLD OF 15% HOLIDAY OR SECOND HOMES SET... WITH MANY COMMUNITIES ALREADY FAR ABOVE THAT

- By DALE SPRIDGEON

CURBS on the use of second homes and holiday lets in Eryri will provide “more control” over the area's housing stock, planning bosses say.

It comes as figures show almost half of homes in one village are used as second homes or holiday lets.

An Article 4 Direction came into force in the Eryri National Park on June 1, removing permitted rights over the change of use of main homes to second homes or short-term holiday lets, and certain mixed uses.

It also removed permitted rights over the change of use from second homes to short term holiday lets, and vice versa.

Now, Eryri National Park’s planning and access committee has approved recommendations over its Draft Supplementary Planning Guidance [SPG], managing the use of dwellings as holiday homes, during a meeting on Wednesday, June 25.

The SPG was needed to identify a threshold figure for the percentages of permitted properties, to be reviewed annually.

The document also provides guidance to help those submitting planning applications, and helps planning officers and park authority members to determine applications relating to the change of use of main and second homes and holiday lets.