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North Wales Live
13 hours ago
- Politics
- North Wales Live
'We are not Airbnb-hating ogres. The housing problems in Gwynedd are unique'
Introducing curbs on second homes and holiday lets has been one of the "most pioneering" policies in Cyngor Gwynedd's history, a senior councillor has claimed. Cllr Craig ap Iago, the council's cabinet member for environment, and the former cabinet member for housing, said they had to tackle the "massive" homelessness crisis in the county. The Plaid Cymru councillor, who represents Penygroes, said it was hoped the introduction of Article 4 and council tax premiums would turn the tide against evidence showing that young people leave Gwynedd because house prices are out of their reach. He said the purpose of Article 4, a planning tool which can remove or restrict permitted development rights on houses, was to try and influence the use of housing to give local people, especially youngsters, a chance to get their foot on the housing ladder in their own communities. Critics argue that the policy affects all home owners by reducing the value of properties, and argue that even if property values fell, most homes would remain out of the reach of local buyers, thus profiting only those looking to move into the area. Get all the latest Gwynedd news by signing up to our newsletter - sent every Tuesday Cllr Cllr ab Iago said: "At the end of the day, it is just about creating homes for people to live in. "I wish people could understand, we are not some ogres against holiday homes or Airbnbs, lots of us use them with our families here and on holidays. "But the situation in Gwynedd is quite unique, we are facing a huge homeless problem with lots of people on waiting lists. "Yet, we also have large numbers of holiday accommodation and second homes, far more than in other areas. "All we are trying to do is to manage our own housing situation, to control the housing stock and limit the numbers of holiday homes, we don't want to stop them altogether, tourism is a crucial part of the economy here in Gwynedd. "We know that the real homelessness situation is far worse than official figures show, few people realise not much is said about it. "There are lots of people who don't show up in the figures, it's the people sofa surfing, moving from place to place, staying with friends and relatives, they go under the radar. "Then there are others, scraping by in really poor, damp, run down older housing, it's a hidden problem. "We want to create a situation where all our residents in Gwynedd have a fair crack at living in a proper home." Recent Gwynedd Council's research shows that 65.5% of the county's population have been priced out of the housing market. In certain wards, eespecially within the Llŷn Peninsula, in places like Abersoch, Aberdaron, Botwnnog, Llanengan and Tudweiliog, between 90% and 96% of local people cannot afford to buy a home. Recently, a group that opposes Article 4 in Gwynedd raised funds to pay for a judicial review. In November, the People of Gwynedd Against Article 4 (PGAA4) campaign group was refused permission to bring forward a judicial review of the decision. However the legal battle took a fresh turn in February after a judge has ruled the review can in fact take place. Mr Justice Pepperall said the review should proceed on one key ground – that the council's cabinet may have been 'misled' over the nature and extent of the changes to the county's planning regime. A hearing is expected on June 23, and the council is defending the case. Cllr ap Iago said: "My worry with all this, is there is this group trying to stop us doing this, taking us to court, it all costs money. "It is money taken away from the council coffers which could be helping people and it's taxpayers' money. At the end of the day, whatever happens with the court case, we just want people to understand the reasoning behind Article 4. "At least we will have opened up the narrative, we always felt that house prices were something that was done to us. "But with hope, self-worth and belief, we can sort our own problems, and change the narrative over the affordability of homes." Anyone who owns a property that was already being used as a second home or holiday let accommodation before September 1, 2024 would not be affected by Article 4. After that date, anyone wishing to change the use of a property to a second home or short-term holiday accommodation would need planning consent. The council has also brought in a 150% premium on council tax for second homes and a 100% premium on long-term empty houses. The local authority has also introduced a Housing Action Plan [HAP] which uses the funds from the premium levied on second and empty houses to tackle the housing crisis. The plan includes over 30 different elements, including preventing homelessness, increasing the number of social houses available to bring empty homes back into use and helping first time buyers. Another project under the HAP is Tŷ Gwynedd, which is the council's plan to build their own houses for the first time in over twenty years. Some are already underway in Bangor and Llanberis, with other areas earmarked for construction of new houses soon. Eryri National Park also made the decision to bring in an Article 4 directive recently. From June 1, 2025, it became operational within the National Park. Some other county councils in Wales are also discussing the subject and are considering introducing the new guidance. Next week the council's cabinet will meet to discuss changes to its supplementary planning guidance. It follows a public consultation period, held between February 24 and April 7, 2024.
Telegraph
26-05-2025
- Automotive
- Telegraph
Pictured: Drivers caught out by high tides at Welsh beauty spot
Expensive cars and campervans are getting wrecked at a beauty spot on the Welsh coast as the tide catches out drivers. Motorists are repeatedly running into trouble at Traeth y Greigddu, or Black Rock Sands, in North Wales where they are allowed to park on the sand. Cars are routinely submerged in the sand and vulnerable to being swept out to sea by fast-flowing waters. Five vehicles were trapped by the rising waters in April after parking on the shore, including a new Mercedes coupé and an Audi. Council officials have warned drivers against leaving their cars on the beach at Morfa Bychan, a village near the resort town of Porthmadog in Gwynedd, after saying their officers were unable to rescue every trapped vehicle. A Gwynedd council spokesman said: 'Where possible, during staffed hours, council officers will endeavour to recover any vehicles that get into such difficulties. 'However, in some cases it may be necessary to seek assistance from a third-party contractor, for which the driver or owner of the vehicle would be responsible for the associated costs. 'We welcome everyone who wishes to spend time on our beautiful beaches and coastal areas. However, we want everyone to enjoy themselves safely.' The spokesman reminded visitors to Traeth y Greigddu to check the weather forecast and tide times before parking on the sand, and 'to treat the sea and coastline with respect'. Gwynedd council advised drivers to park above the high-water mark and not to leave their cars unattended. 'Multiple signs are positioned along the beach at Morfa Bychan to warn users of the potential dangers and to indicate areas of the beach where vehicles are prohibited from accessing,' the council said in a statement. 'On occasion, the vehicles of those who have not heeded the warning signs can become trapped on the beach due to soft sand, having driven onto the sand banks, or because they have parked below the high-tide line.' The beach was used as a backdrop for the Manic Street Preachers ' 1998 album cover This Is My Truth, Tell Me Yours.
North Wales Chronicle
16-05-2025
- Business
- North Wales Chronicle
MP joins engineers installing fibre broadband in Gwynedd
Plaid Cymru MP for Dwyfor Meirionnydd, Liz Saville Roberts, joined Openreach engineers in Fairbourne and Llwyngwril to get an update on the work being done to install fibre broadband in her constituency. Mrs Saville Roberts has been campaigning for some time to improve broadband access in several communities across Dwyfor Meirionnydd. She has helped residents and local businesses access the fast, reliable service they need in the 21st century. Work was recently completed in Fairbourne, which now has 99 per cent full fibre coverage through the Fibre Community Partnership (FCP) scheme. Other areas now benefiting from the FCP include Clynnog Fawr with 98 per cent coverage, Llanbedr with 95 per cent, Llithfaen with 96 per cent, and Llanuwchllyn with 90 per cent. Work is also underway to bring full fibre to 8,100 premises in Dwyfor Meirionnydd through Project Gigabit. This includes 913 premises in Penrhyndeudraeth by 2026, 787 in Llanbedrog by 2026, 838 in Harlech by 2027, and 445 in Waunfawr by 2027. Other communities expected to benefit include Aberdaron, Botwnnog, Ffestiniog, Llandrillo, Groeslon, Maentwrog, Garndolbenmaen and Trawsfynydd. READ MORE: Neil Foden: Gwynedd Council says 'positive progress' made in response plan Mrs Saville Roberts said: "I welcomed the opportunity to meet with Openreach engineers and senior management on the ground in Fairbourne to discuss the roll out of full fibre broadband across this rural constituency, and to ensure that upgrading digital infrastructure across the region remains a priority. "Dwyfor Meirionnydd has consistently ranked amongst the worst in the UK for access to reliable, superfast broadband, compounded by all-round poor connectivity - a significant barrier for businesses and residents. "It is therefore encouraging to see firsthand the work taking place to improve broadband connectivity in some of our more hard-to-reach communities through exchange upgrade work, Fibre Community Partnerships, and Project Gigabit. "I've consistently argued for improving connectivity across Dwyfor Meirionnydd, and with working from home now commonplace for many people as well as the requirement for farmers to provide information online, the demand for fast, reliable broadband has never been greater. "Tourism accommodation also needs to provide connectivity for visitors. "Seeing engineers on the ground working to bring superfast broadband to communities like Fairbourne, Beddgelert, Clynnog Fawr, and to areas previously cut-off from fast reliable broadband, drives home the urgency to continue to strive to connect our communities."
North Wales Chronicle
16-05-2025
- North Wales Chronicle
Neil Foden: Gwynedd Council says ‘positive progress' made in response
Foden, 67, who was head of Ysgol Friars and strategic head of Ysgol Dyffryn Nantlle, was jailed for 17 years last July for 19 counts of sexual abuse involving four child victims between 2019 and 2023. It was one year ago yesterday (May 15) that he was convicted of these charges, after a three-week trial at Mold Crown Court. The council said stakeholders have been informed this week that 'positive progress' has been made on several work streams including responding immediately to the recommendations of a specialist safeguarding barrister. These steps include: These developments come in the wake of the 'response plan', adopted by Gwynedd Council's cabinet in January. The aim of this plan is to set out the range of procedures and arrangements that the council will be implementing internally to: The council said: 'One of the tasks within the plan was to commission an independent barrister who specialises in safeguarding investigations to carry out an investigation into the specific incidents in 2019 highlighted during Neil Foden's criminal trial. 'This detailed work is now complete. 'The full report has been sent immediately to the independent investigators of the statutory Child Practice Review, which is being carried out by the North Wales Safeguarding Board. 'The content of the report will feed into the conclusions and recommendations of the review. 'Alongside this, Cyngor Gwynedd has received legal advice from independent experts on the next steps. 'As a result, the council's elected members have received all of the inquiry's recommendations and an update on how the council will be putting them into action.' Council leader, Cllr Nia Jeffreys, said: 'Neil Foden's horrific crimes continue to have a far-reaching impact on the people and communities of Gwynedd. 'The victims and their families remain in our thoughts as we investigate what went wrong and what more we can do to ensure children are safe in our schools. 'While we cannot undo the effects of Neil Foden's horrific crimes, as a council, we are determined to use this serious case to identify and learn lessons and use them to strengthen our arrangements. 'Our aim is to ensure that we have the best possible safeguarding arrangements to protect the young people of Gwynedd and which can also be of use to other councils across Wales. 'Creating the response plan back in December was the beginning of the journey. Since then, we have made progress in a short space of time with all the work streams, but we are fully aware that there is more hard work ahead especially when we receive the recommendations of the statutory Child Practice Review in the autumn.' Dafydd Gibbard, chief executive of Gwynedd Council, added: 'As a council, we have made it clear that we will leave no stone unturned in the search for answers and to learn and improve. 'The response plan helps us with this by setting out in a single document the measures that have been put in place. 'Council officers immediately started to implement the recommendations made by the independent specialist barrister who looked into specific incidents in 2019. 'In addition, the investigation by the Information Commissioner's Office has been completed and we have updated our Freedom of Information procedures. 'The council's scrutiny committee has started its investigation into safeguarding arrangements in our schools, and an independent investigation into a report commissioned by an independent complaints panel has been completed and will be shared with councillors soon. 'There is much more to do, and we won't rest until we are satisfied that everything possible has been done.'
Wales Online
24-04-2025
- Wales Online
Locals 'can't wait for the tourist tax' at 'besieged beauty spot'
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info Residents in Gwynedd are at their wits' end after being "besieged" by Easter visitors at a former slate quarry. A Dinorwig villager took car-cam footage showing a long line of double-parked cars extending to the neighbouring village of Deiniolen, two miles away. North Wales Live readers have been discussing the news in our comments section. The once world-renowned Dinorwig Quarry, now a social media sensation, has seen an influx of visitors to its site on the edge of Eryri (Snowdonia), with numbers over the Easter weekend described as "unbelievable". Communities nearby have voiced their concerns about over-tourism and are unhappy about the litter and human waste left behind in the fields. Some residents admit to feeling too intimidated to leave their homes during busy weekends due to congested roads. There are increasing calls for a review of parking regulations or even the creation of a new car park with toilet facilities on the mountain. While paid parking is available in Llanberis, which requires a hike up the mountain to reach the quarry known as the "place where time stood still", there is also free parking at the Allt Ddu bus terminus on the mountain itself, providing easier access to the quarry. The quarry's "secret waterfall" is a major draw, despite being off-limits with warning signs after a past tragedy. Online adventurers frequently visit the site, although they are advised to stick to the footpaths. The damage to historic structures is causing increasing concern. Local resident John Horrigan, whose home is adjacent to the quarry, expressed his worries: "The access road, on the line of the quarry's old railway, is now extremely dangerous – especially on blind bends where people are parking even though the road narrows. Something needs to be done here before it's too late. In two weeks time, if the sun shines on the next Bank Holiday weekend, we'll be facing this madness all over again." (Image: John Horrigan) Commenter Blaiddcymraeg asks: 'Where are the police? What is Gwynedd Council doing about it?' Confusing replies: 'Surprising that the council haven't leapt into action and charged them from parking. Surely they wouldn't miss an opportunity?' GETTING ANNOYED NOW adds: 'How many buses/minibuses go to these tourist areas daily? Surely if tourist hotspots get a lot of tourists, then there should be more buses from park and ride sites nearby, which are reasonably priced and run longer hours when tourists need them. Also, if there is a problem with public toilets then more should be provided. Most charge up to 50p these days, so why hasn't Cyngor Gwynedd done it's sums? Loos and park and ride buses = MONEY. Think about it now.' Jonesey1 replies: 'It's difficult to magic up buses and bus drivers just for extra-busy bank holidays, if there were extra buses then out of season and on rainy days they'd be running virtually empty. I'm all in favour of having public WCs (on every street corner preferably) and local councils have long since dropped the ball on these but they do take time and money to build.' (Image: John Horrigan) Reactor says: 'I used to enjoy a quiet and lonely walk up there. Clearly that is now at an end - along with the nice spots on Anglesey.' CharlesPhilipArthurGeorgeWindsor-Mountbatten thinks: 'There's no such thing as over-tourism. All tourism is good business. What arrogance! Some places have no tourism and would be glad of some income and jobs.' RhosResident replies: 'All tourism is good business?! Are you joking? Over-saturating an area that relies on zero contract, minimum wage jobs? Yes, perfect for stable communities.' Hogangymraeg adds: 'Some tourists disrespect places, come in their hoards and do as they like. Park on housing estates, park on yellow lines, leave litter, wild camp which is illegal in Cymru without a landlord's permission, have barbecues and leave hot briquettes that cause fires, defecate on the beaches, you have no real idea of the effect of over-tourism.' Rojer writes: 'As someone living in Eryri I cannot wait for the tourist tax to start to see if we can get rid of the littering. If you live somewhere where there are no tourists, you will not understand how people in inundated areas feel.' Steamnut replies: 'The tourist tax will not help this situation. At less than the cost of a tank of fuel for these vehicles there is no disincentive.' ThePickledLiver thinks: 'If it's on TikTok, it'll be utterly unfashionable and forgotten about in a couple of years, so look forward to enjoying the peace and solitude. Besides, is an Easter bank holiday weekend any way to gauge anything and draw conclusions?' Do you sympathise with locals who live in tourist places? What do you think the solution is? Have your say in our comments section.
