A REPORT to be considered by Gwynedd Council’s cabinet on July 16 recommends confirming the implementation of an Article 4 direction to control the use of houses as second homes and holiday accommodation.

This would enable the council to require property owners to obtain planning permission before changing the use of a main home into a second home or short-term holiday accommodation.

The change would come into effect from September 1.

The council held a public engagement period on this during August and September 2023, and all comments submitted have received careful consideration.

The comments and the council's response were considered at a meeting of the local authority’s communities scrutiny committee in May, where members supported the work that has been carried, and a recommendation was made for the cabinet to confirm the Article 4 direction.

READ MORE:

Betsi Cadwaladr overpaid interim director for second successive year

Woman arrested following ‘hate-related incident’ in Bangor

Police officer taken to hospital after assault by Gwynedd suspect

Cllr Dafydd Meurig, Gwynedd Council’s cabinet member for the environment, said: "Cyngor Gwynedd wants to ensure that local people able to access suitable and affordable housing locally – that is key to securing the future of our communities.

"Unfortunately, research shows that a significant proportion of people in Gwynedd are priced out of the housing market and that is more evident in communities with higher numbers of holiday homes.

"It is therefore inevitable that the significant number of houses being used as second homes and short-term holiday accommodation is affecting the ability of the people of Gwynedd to access homes in their communities. 

"By introducing an Article 4 direction, the council would have a new tool to try to control the impact of second homes and holiday accommodation.

“The change would require owners to submit a planning application for changing the use of residential properties into second homes or short-term holiday accommodation.

"Should the council decide to go ahead, Gwynedd would become the first planning authority to use these new planning powers introduced by the Government.

"Detailed work has been carried out over the past year to set out the case for the change to be made and we are very grateful to everyone who took part during the public engagement period.

"The comments have received careful consideration in the council's communities scrutiny committee and the cabinet will now consider all evidence when deciding if it is to confirm the implementation of the Article 4 direction from September onwards.”