THOUSANDS of dwellings are being left unoccupied across Gwynedd and Anglesey, Office for National Statistics (ONS) data has shown.

Numbers taken from the ONS census in 2021 found that there are 5,400 empty homes on Anglesey, and 12,110 in Gwynedd, making a total across the two counties of 17,510.

Unoccupied dwellings are units of accommodation that have no usual residents.

Some may be used by short-term residents or visitors as second homes, while some are truly vacant – i.e. no indication of being used as a second home and are not inhabited by short-term residents.

On Census Day - March 21, 2021, there were 1.5 million unoccupied dwellings in England and 120,450 in Wales.

This is 6.1 per cent of all dwellings in England, and 8.2 per cent in Wales.

The full figures for Anglesey and Gwynedd are below:

Anglesey

  • Amlwch & Llannerch-y-medd - 3,790 occupied dwellings, 600 unoccupied, 2.16 per cent holiday homes
  • Rhos-y-bol, Marian-glas & Moelfre – 2,925 occupied, 675 unoccupied, 5.98 per cent holiday homes
  • Holyhead – 4,830 occupied, 435 unoccupied, 0.19 per cent holiday homes
  • Llain-goch & Valley – 3,320 occupied, 910 unoccupied, 6.14 per cent holiday homes
  • Beaumaris & Benllech – 3,795 occupied, 1,015 unoccupied, 5.2 per cent holiday homes
  • Llangefni – 3,040 occupied, 220 unoccupied, 0.31 per cent holiday homes
  • Bodedern & Rhosneigr – 2,885 occupied, 800 unoccupied, 6.38 per cent holiday homes
  • Llanfair Pwllgwyngyll & Menai Bridge – 2,765 occupied, 290 unoccupied, 0.98 holiday homes
  • Newborough – 3,475 occupied, 455 unoccupied, 2.16 holiday homes

Gwynedd

  • Bangor City – 2,690 occupied, 455 unoccupied, 0 holiday homes
  • Bangor South – 3,390 occupied, 190 unoccupied, 0 holiday homes
  • Bethesda – 3,560 occupied, 330 unoccupied, 0.39 per cent holiday homes
  • Bethel & Llanrug – 2,760 occupied, 305 unoccupied, 1.63 per cent holiday homes
  • Llanberis & Deiniolen – 2,920 occupied, 355 unoccupied, 0.92 per cent holiday homes
  • Caernarfon East – 3,680 occupied, 225 unoccupied, 0.26 per cent holiday homes
  • Caernarfon West & Waunfawr – 2,730 occupied, 510 unoccupied, 1.54 per cent holiday homes
  • Pen-y-groes, Tal-y-sarn & Dyffryn Nantlle – 3,285 occupied, 495 unoccupied, 1.98 per cent holiday homes
  • Blaenau Ffestiniog & Trawsfynydd – 2,800 occupied, 960 unoccupied, 2.66 per cent holiday homes
  • Porthmadog – 3,065 occupied, 1,005 unoccupied, 5.77 per cent holiday homes
  • Criccieth & Llanaelhaearn – 2,840 occupied, 690 unoccupied, 4.53 per cent holiday homes
  • Pwllheli & Morfa Nefyn – 3,470 occupied, 950 unoccupied, 5.88 per cent holiday homes
  • Harlech & Llanbedr – 2,670 occupied, 960 unoccupied, 6.89 per cent holiday homes
  • Abersoch & Aberdaron – 2,335 occupied, 1,710 unoccupied, 15.3 per cent holiday homes
  • Bala & Mawddwy – 2,550 occupied, 535 unoccupied, 2.92 per cent holiday homes
  • Barmouth & Dolgellau – 2,880 occupied, 940 unoccupied, 4.85 per cent holiday homes
  • Tywyn & Llangelynnin – 3,480 occupied, 1,495 unoccupied, 9.05 per cent holiday homes

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A Gwynedd Council spokesperson said: “Cyngor Gwynedd's Tax Unit records show 1,440 empty private properties in the county, as defined by the Welsh Government's Public Accountability Measures (PAMs) 013 for local authorities.

“A few notable examples of properties excluded from this definition include second homes, properties owned by Registered Social Landlords, and property purpose-built for student accommodation. 

“Additionally, the figures published by the Office for National Statistics were collected in March 2021 during the coronavirus pandemic, and the ONS has expressed caution that the empty property figures may be inflated due to people living with parents, overseas residents returning home, and other lockdown-related restrictions.

“Bringing empty properties back into use is a crucial component of the council’s Housing Action Plan.

“This includes the First Time Buyers Grant Scheme to Renovate Empty Houses which has supported nearly 130 individuals in living locally since 2021.

“Recognising the pressing need to bring more empty properties into use, the council has expanded the criteria for its First Time Buyers Grant Scheme.

“Now, properties that were once second homes are also eligible, aiming to provide more opportunities for Gwynedd residents to access their first homes.

“To further assist owners of vacant houses, the council offers schemes such as the opportunity to reduce or eliminate VAT on all materials used in renovation work.

“Welsh Government also provides various grants and loans with the same goal of revitalising empty properties.”

An Isle of Anglesey County Council spokesperson added: “The data provided is gathered from March 2021 a period where the COVID-19 lockdown was in place, so the figures may not be accurate given that some families may have been living elsewhere, providing support for family members or unable to return home.

“There are many different reasons as to why a property may be unoccupied for a short period, for example it might have recently been sold, or there is a change in the tenancy, structural or renovation work or the owners recently passed away.

“There are approximately 651 properties on Ynys Môn which have been classed as long-term empty homes, as defined by Welsh Government.

“Making best use of these properties is a key component of Anglesey’s housing strategy and contributes to our council plan vision and one of its key objectives – that everybody has the right to call somewhere home.

“To tackle the issues with long-term empty homes, different incentives and grants have been made available to residents to try and bring empty homes back into use for the local communities.

“A National Empty Homes Grant up to £25,000 is available to homeowners to renovate empty homes and bring them back into use, ensuring that they provide a safe and energy efficient home.

“The Isle of Anglesey County Council offers support to local first-time buyers who wish to bring a vacant home back into use subject to qualifying criteria.

“The county council also charges a council tax premium on second and long-term empty properties.

“The premium on long-term empty homes is designed to discourage owners leaving their properties remaining empty long-term and to support the increase the availability of housing purchase, to rent in local communities or for the owners to occupy the properties themselves.

“The income is retained by the county council to support the housing and homelessness budget.”