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Wales Online
a day ago
- Business
- Wales Online
Second homes policy shows impact but fears grow 'vital' visitors will shun Wales
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 North Wales Live readers remain doubtful that Wales' clampdown on holiday homes is showing a clear "impact on purchasing behaviour". The boom in second homes and holiday lets in some rural and coastal communities has sparked a fierce backlash, with concerns over the strain on local residents. In parts of Gwynedd, holiday homes have made up half of all properties, prompting stark warnings about threats to the Welsh language and culture. Measures have been brought in to reverse the trend and free up housing for locals – though critics say the real focus should be on building more homes. The changes include steep council tax premiums on second homes and stricter criteria for properties to qualify as council tax–exempt holiday lets. Cyngor Gwynedd has also introduced a new Article 4 directive requiring planning permission to change a home's use. Other regions are considering similar rules. While many welcome the crackdown, the tourism industry warns of a potential hit to their trade, and the Conservatives argue that more housing construction should take priority. New Land Transaction Tax figures – Wales' version of stamp duty – suggest the policies are reducing sales to second home and holiday let buyers. Properties bought as second homes, holiday homes, or for buy-to-let face higher transaction rates, and such sales are now falling. Adam Al-Nuaimi, Head of Data Analysis at the WRA, said: "Comparing the year to June with the previous year, many areas of Wales saw decreases in their percentage of residential transactions which were higher rates, in particular the Isle of Anglesey and Gwynedd." Commenter Ofcourseitis says: 'There are some excellent bargains to be snapped up for anyone who wants to retire to North Wales and work from home, it's a great lifestyle change.' SCATHINGPEN writes: 'So, if the measures imposed by Gwynedd Council with the premium on second home Council tax and the 182 rule for holiday lets is working, how exactly, has the housing demographic changed? Who's buying the properties now? They're still way beyond the price point of locals due to locals not earning the right salaries to buy them. 'I guess they are being bought by those wishing to retire here, those already in the holiday letting business or other, richer second home owners who really don't care how high the council tax is because they're rich. From what I see, there is only one set of winners here, the councils who are always in search of a new source of revenue. The housing crisis hasn't changed. Locals still don't own the keys to their doors.' Steamnut agrees: 'They are making it up as they go along to justify the actions they have taken. Where are the new builds of low cost housing that were supposed to be built using this extra money? The money should have been ring fenced from the start.' Lucy1967 points out: 'The people that are buying second homes are those who obviously have plenty of money - having more affordable housing is fine, but you still have to be working and earning over a certain amount. It's not as easy as people may think, we need more social housing for people who cannot afford to buy, renting is as high if not in a lot of cases more expensive than a mortgage. As long as this continues then things will never change, gradually there will be less and less Welsh people living in their own birth place, which is very very sad." Jnrm replies: 'But some second home owners inherited the properties from parents and wish to maintain a presence in their homeland. The other owners are not 'lucky' they are hard working people who saved their earnings to afford a second home rather than going on expensive holidays every year.' Statistix says: 'I take issue with the 'I deserve to live in the village where I was brought up' argument. Most children brought up in a nice big house in a popular village have benefitted from their parents' struggle to climb the property ladder. How many of us starting out could or can expect to afford what our parents strived for years for?' Sparklytiger states: 'You're all blaming incomers for buying homes in Wales. Just remember, it's the Welsh that sold those houses for top prices. Not ONE of the sellers had the morals to think 'I know I can get thousands more but I'll take a really low offer instead so my Welsh compatriots can have a home where they live'. Start by looking at who REALLY is at fault here.' Tjr42 adds: 'Tourism is vital to Wales.' Do you think higher taxes on second homes are helping Wales or harming tourism? Share your views in the comments section.
North Wales Live
a day ago
- Business
- North Wales Live
Second homes policy shows impact but fears grow 'vital' visitors will shun Wales
North Wales Live readers remain doubtful that Wales' clampdown on holiday homes is showing a clear "impact on purchasing behaviour". The boom in second homes and holiday lets in some rural and coastal communities has sparked a fierce backlash, with concerns over the strain on local residents. In parts of Gwynedd, holiday homes have made up half of all properties, prompting stark warnings about threats to the Welsh language and culture. Measures have been brought in to reverse the trend and free up housing for locals – though critics say the real focus should be on building more homes. The changes include steep council tax premiums on second homes and stricter criteria for properties to qualify as council tax–exempt holiday lets. Cyngor Gwynedd has also introduced a new Article 4 directive requiring planning permission to change a home's use. Other regions are considering similar rules. While many welcome the crackdown, the tourism industry warns of a potential hit to their trade, and the Conservatives argue that more housing construction should take priority. New Land Transaction Tax figures – Wales' version of stamp duty – suggest the policies are reducing sales to second home and holiday let buyers. Properties bought as second homes, holiday homes, or for buy-to-let face higher transaction rates, and such sales are now falling. Adam Al-Nuaimi, Head of Data Analysis at the WRA, said: "Comparing the year to June with the previous year, many areas of Wales saw decreases in their percentage of residential transactions which were higher rates, in particular the Isle of Anglesey and Gwynedd." Commenter Ofcourseitis says: 'There are some excellent bargains to be snapped up for anyone who wants to retire to North Wales and work from home, it's a great lifestyle change.' SCATHINGPEN writes: 'So, if the measures imposed by Gwynedd Council with the premium on second home Council tax and the 182 rule for holiday lets is working, how exactly, has the housing demographic changed? Who's buying the properties now? They're still way beyond the price point of locals due to locals not earning the right salaries to buy them. 'I guess they are being bought by those wishing to retire here, those already in the holiday letting business or other, richer second home owners who really don't care how high the council tax is because they're rich. From what I see, there is only one set of winners here, the councils who are always in search of a new source of revenue. The housing crisis hasn't changed. Locals still don't own the keys to their doors.' Steamnut agrees: 'They are making it up as they go along to justify the actions they have taken. Where are the new builds of low cost housing that were supposed to be built using this extra money? The money should have been ring fenced from the start.' Lucy1967 points out: 'The people that are buying second homes are those who obviously have plenty of money - having more affordable housing is fine, but you still have to be working and earning over a certain amount. It's not as easy as people may think, we need more social housing for people who cannot afford to buy, renting is as high if not in a lot of cases more expensive than a mortgage. As long as this continues then things will never change, gradually there will be less and less Welsh people living in their own birth place, which is very very sad." Jnrm replies: 'But some second home owners inherited the properties from parents and wish to maintain a presence in their homeland. The other owners are not 'lucky' they are hard working people who saved their earnings to afford a second home rather than going on expensive holidays every year.' Statistix says: 'I take issue with the 'I deserve to live in the village where I was brought up' argument. Most children brought up in a nice big house in a popular village have benefitted from their parents' struggle to climb the property ladder. How many of us starting out could or can expect to afford what our parents strived for years for?' Sparklytiger states: 'You're all blaming incomers for buying homes in Wales. Just remember, it's the Welsh that sold those houses for top prices. Not ONE of the sellers had the morals to think 'I know I can get thousands more but I'll take a really low offer instead so my Welsh compatriots can have a home where they live'. Start by looking at who REALLY is at fault here.' Tjr42 adds: 'Tourism is vital to Wales.'
Wales Online
04-06-2025
- General
- Wales Online
Change to use of dashcam from DIY traffic cops branded 'shame'
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 Readers of North Wales Live have been actively debating the recent shift in police policy around the acceptance of dashcam footage. A digital portal permits public contributions of evidence concerning traffic violations. Operation Snap – spearheaded by road safety unit GoSafe – has established a digital platform that encourages the submission of video recordings showing traffic offences. Amongst the most reported misdeeds are reckless driving and perilously close overtakes of cyclists, together with incidents of jumping red lights. The initiative has been hailed as a "valuable tool" for clamping down on motorists. As more individuals employ dashcams and helmet-cams, submissions to the portal have risen sharply. From 2021 to 2023, there was a twofold increase in submitted footage, this spike has prompted GoSafe to announce an immediate change to the handling of submissions while a comprehensive review is underway. This adjustment will not impact the processing of "serious" incidents flagged by the public. However, there will be a new approach when minor infractions are reported to the police. Until now, these minor concerns resulted in warning letters sent out to offenders. This procedure will stop until the review establishes a long-term strategy. MickHookem states: "Why not just drive safely and lawfully? Unless you've got something to hide, of course." TheGreyMullet writes: "Shame. Surely it's better to be proactive in modifying behaviour to avoid serious accidents rather than just being reactive after they happen. Lives already likely ruined at that point." Ofcourseitis adds: "There are an element of people who deliberately go out of their way to cause and entrap unsuspecting motorists with their vigilante operations, its good to see the police taking a sensible stance and only dealing with the most serious of cases." Msdt believes: "Another excuse for the police to stay in their offices instead of being out there!" Cooperman1927 says: "I have a dash cam and could make it a full time job sending evidence of bad driving but I would rather have a better hobby." Tdhprestatyn comments: "A country where citizens spy and report each other. What an awful practice and place. So glad I left 11 years ago. Looking from outside in, Wales is descending into a socialist state. I don't even stay in Wales now to visit family, just stay across the border and drive (very slowly) in." Vaux08hall writes: "If the police are overwhelmed with the number being sent in then it only proves how bad the standard of driving is in Wales, it also coincides with the 20mph being introduced." Ofcourseitis replies: "The police are overwhelmed because the speed laws in Wales are unfit for purpose so most people ignore them and the vigilante busy bodies get to work with their secret filming and snitching." Thesheaperd questions: "So let me get this straight - the Police are saying they are going to ignore people breaking the law if they think it is not important enough, who decides if it is important enough? This is why we have laws to begin with, the state of the UK is going down the drain." Statistix answers: "It may just be a case of those who love to complain, but only if they can remain anonymous, have been given free reign and a pat on the back up until now." AlbertKelly adds: "You could always try driving safely so you don't have anything to worry about." Do you believe that sending in dashcam footage is the best way to help the Police sort out bad/dangerous driving? Comment below or HERE to join in the conversation.
North Wales Live
04-06-2025
- General
- North Wales Live
Change to use of dashcam from DIY traffic cops branded 'shame'
Readers of North Wales Live have been actively debating the r ecent shift in police policy around the acceptance of dashcam footage. A digital portal permits public contributions of evidence concerning traffic violations. Operation Snap – spearheaded by road safety unit GoSafe – has established a digital platform that encourages the submission of video recordings showing traffic offences. Amongst the most reported misdeeds are reckless driving and perilously close overtakes of cyclists, together with incidents of jumping red lights. The initiative has been hailed as a "valuable tool" for clamping down on motorists. As more individuals employ dashcams and helmet-cams, submissions to the portal have risen sharply. From 2021 to 2023, there was a twofold increase in submitted footage, this spike has prompted GoSafe to announce an immediate change to the handling of submissions while a comprehensive review is underway. This adjustment will not impact the processing of "serious" incidents flagged by the public. However, there will be a new approach when minor infractions are reported to the police. Until now, these minor concerns resulted in warning letters sent out to offenders. This procedure will stop until the review establishes a long-term strategy. MickHookem states: "Why not just drive safely and lawfully? Unless you've got something to hide, of course." TheGreyMullet writes: "Shame. Surely it's better to be proactive in modifying behaviour to avoid serious accidents rather than just being reactive after they happen. Lives already likely ruined at that point." Ofcourseitis adds: "There are an element of people who deliberately go out of their way to cause and entrap unsuspecting motorists with their vigilante operations, its good to see the police taking a sensible stance and only dealing with the most serious of cases." Msdt believes: "Another excuse for the police to stay in their offices instead of being out there!" Cooperman1927 says: "I have a dash cam and could make it a full time job sending evidence of bad driving but I would rather have a better hobby." Tdhprestatyn comments: "A country where citizens spy and report each other. What an awful practice and place. So glad I left 11 years ago. Looking from outside in, Wales is descending into a socialist state. I don't even stay in Wales now to visit family, just stay across the border and drive (very slowly) in." Vaux08hall writes: "If the police are overwhelmed with the number being sent in then it only proves how bad the standard of driving is in Wales, it also coincides with the 20mph being introduced." Ofcourseitis replies: "The police are overwhelmed because the speed laws in Wales are unfit for purpose so most people ignore them and the vigilante busy bodies get to work with their secret filming and snitching." Thesheaperd questions: "So let me get this straight - the Police are saying they are going to ignore people breaking the law if they think it is not important enough, who decides if it is important enough? This is why we have laws to begin with, the state of the UK is going down the drain." Statistix answers: "It may just be a case of those who love to complain, but only if they can remain anonymous, have been given free reign and a pat on the back up until now." AlbertKelly adds: "You could always try driving safely so you don't have anything to worry about."
Wales Online
22-05-2025
- Automotive
- Wales Online
Massive hike in speeding fines as tourist season kicks off 'get 3 points as a souvenir'
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 North Wales Live readers have been discussing a surge in speeding fines as the number of drivers caught on 20mph roads soared last month. The 20mph default limit was implemented in Wales back in September 2023. A six-month 'grace' period followed, during which North Wales police prioritised education over fines and penalty points. However, this approach shifted last spring when enforcement was ramped up, resulting in a significant increase in the number of speeding tickets issued. In 2023, just over 25,000 speeding offences were recorded on 20mph and 30mph roads across North Wales. This figure nearly doubled to just under 57,000 in 2024. The number of fines peaked in August when almost 8,000 tickets were handed out, a sharp rise from 892 in June. Following this period, the numbers gradually decreased month by month, dropping to 2,966 in January of this year. However, there has been a steady climb since then, with nearly 4,000 fines issued the following month and 4,950 in March. This trend appears to be continuing, with the April statistics just released. These show that just under 6,000 drivers were caught speeding on 20mph roads in the region. This coincided with an influx of visitors to the area due to the Easter break and a prolonged spell of spring sunshine. There have been numerous reports of tourists falling foul of the speed limits, with North Wales Live highlighting one such case earlier this month. It is currently unknown how quickly hundreds of North Wales roads will potentially revert back to 30mph - and what impact this will have on speeding offences. However, for the time being, drivers continue to be caught out by the thousands each month. Commenter Ofcourseitis says: 'The criminalisation of a nation. The Welsh Government must be so proud of their achievement, preying on motorists with their anti motorist policies whilst destroying the economy behind a charade of safer roads.' Hogangymraeg points out: 'If you break the speed limit you should expect to get a fine.' Nexttheborder replies: 'Yes, but the limits should be sensible.' Flipineck retorts: 'It's not just 20 mph roads. No matter the speed limit some drivers do not care and think they are above the law.' Morpick writes: 'Visitors used to leave Wales with a stick of rock. Now they are likely to leave with points on their licences. Welcome to Wales!' SnoopJohnnyJohn agrees: 'This crazy situation is to be expected during holiday periods due to the Welsh speed limit signage regulations being out of kilter with the rest of the UK.' Brenden Bithell jokes: 'The new 'Tourist Tax' comes with 3 points as a souvenir.' Pcplod asks: 'I find it hard to understand people who complain about a speed limit of 20 mph that helps road safety. Can someone explain why they do not support the 20 mph limit?' Jennifer Thomas agrees: 'It's only 20mph in built up areas especially round schools. I can't understand why that's wrong? Most of the main roads are normal speed. You feel less stressed going a bit slower really. Enjoy your holidays.' Howel Owen is angry: 'There are no warning signs as you cross the border into Wales reminding visitors / delivery drivers of this draconian law. It's a total money making racket costing thousands of people millions in fines and points.' Tym Corbett replies: 'They are round white with a red edged with the numbers 2 and 0 in them? Similar to the ones in England?' Christian Morris says: 'It's basically a tax.' Craig Sheehan replies: 'It's not a tax, it's a law that if you break, then you pay. If you don't break the law - you don't pay.' Don Nightingale agrees: 'It's simple, if you want to speed (whatever the limit) accept the risk. The rhetoric soon changes when friends or family are injured due to inappropriate driving.' Tom Butterworth writes: 'How about a different headline? 'There was a spike in motorists breaking the speed limit, so fines were issued accordingly." Do you think the 20mph speed limit will deter tourists from visiting Wales? Have your say in our comments section.
