Second home owners 'feel unwelcome' while locals struggle to buy

Bev Hooper has owned a holiday house in Abersoch for 30 years

Bev has a second home on the coast in Gwynedd, while Rhodri is desperate to buy his first place in Pembrokeshire.

Both are united in the fact that the ongoing debate around second homes is affecting their lives.

There were more than 24,000 dwellings, external liable for second home council tax in Wales, according to 2023-24 government data.

The Welsh government says its ambition "is for everyone in Wales to have access to good quality housing, at an affordable cost, in the right area for them".

Mared Llywelyn says people are being priced out of their communities

A life-long love affair with Gwynedd led to Bev Hooper, 67, from Yorkshire, investing in a three-bedroom property with her sister on the Llŷn Peninsula 30 years ago.

"In those days, we paid 50% council tax because we were only there 50% of the year," she said.

Since 2023 second homes in Gwynedd have been subject to a 150% council tax premium, leaving Bev and her family facing a tough decision.

In 2023-2024, Gwynedd had the highest proportion of second homes in Wales at 8.3%, according to Welsh government data, external.

"It would absolutely break my heart to have to sell but it's something that we have to consider," she said, explaining she and her sister now face an estimated £7,000 yearly council tax bill.

"The tourists don't feel welcome, the second home owners don't feel welcome," she said.

As a family they had hoped the second home on the coast would be a place to bring their children and enjoy their retirements.

"Now we're retired, our income is reduced. Our outgoings have increased as far as the cottage is concerned.

"You have to sort of question how viable is it going to be financially for us to keep it going in retirement."

Cyngor Gwynedd previously said it was "taking action to increase the provision of affordable homes, to mitigate the impact of large numbers of second homes and short-term holiday lets".

Do holiday homes stop young people getting on the housing ladder?

The argument for many is that when an area has a high proportion of second homes, community life and culture can suffer.

Data from Cyngor Gwynedd, external suggests that 30% of properties in Pen Llŷn are holiday homes.

"When people are priced out of the market, people are forced out of their communities," said Mared Llywelyn from the Hawl i Fyw Adra (Right to Live at Home) campaign, who lives in the area.

"What's then left are loads of empty homes and communities left faltering because of that.

"The main aim of Hawl i Fyw Adra is guarantee