Residents are calling for action to manage holiday lets in Eryri, hoping to keep young locals in their communities and address housing issues.
Caernarfon: The Eryri National Park Authority is meeting today to discuss new rules for holiday lets. They’re considering an Article 4 direction after hearing from locals. Many are worried about rising house prices and how it affects their finances and the local economy.
Park officials say the feedback didn’t show any major issues against the Article 4 direction. They believe that some groups, especially younger and older homeowners, might feel the pinch from these new controls. But they think the benefits could outweigh the downsides if house prices drop.
The goal of the Article 4 direction is to limit the number of second homes and holiday lets. It would require planning permission for turning homes into holiday rentals. Right now, about one in six properties in the park is a second home or holiday let, which many say is messing with the housing market.
Lots of locals support the push for Article 4, wanting to keep their communities strong. But there’s also a lot of pushback. Some folks are calling the policy “racist” and “morally wrong.”
One commenter pointed out that many holiday lets are in remote areas where young locals don’t want to live. They worry that new owners will shy away from costly renovations if they can’t get permission. Others argue that young people actually want to live in rural Eryri.
Another person suggested that reducing second homes to just a few percent would help communities thrive. They think tourists can stay in hotels instead. Others chimed in, saying that if young locals can’t stay, schools will close, and businesses will suffer.
Some believe that Article 4 will only be enforced where there’s a housing problem. If not, they worry it could lead to more AirBnBs. Others feel that AirBnBs threaten community life and that affordable housing is often just for those with money.
There’s a lot of frustration about the lack of low-cost housing. Some think the government should focus on building homes for locals instead of creating more rules. Others argue that homeowners should decide their property values without government interference.
One commenter noted that this isn’t just a Welsh issue; it’s happening in other tourist areas too. They suggest learning from those places instead of reinventing the wheel.
As the discussion continues, many are left wondering if Article 4 will really help young locals find homes. What do you think?
