Second-home campaigners lose bid for rule review

Campaigners lobbying against new rules requiring people to get planning permission for second homes are facing a setback in their legal bid.

Cyngor Gwynedd was the first local authority to introduce the regulation, known as an Article 4 Direction, to tackle what it has described as a "huge housing crisis".

This week, a judge refused a campaign group’s request to bring forward a judicial review of the decision.

The council, the judge concluded, had made the decision following a "robust and thorough exercise", invalidating the group's grounds for challenge.

Welsh government amendments to planning regulations have introduced three new classes of use - main home, second home and short-term holiday accommodation.

Gwynedd's decision to use these measures to control the use of houses as second homes and holiday lets came into effect in September.

Having raised more than £70,000 to launch a judicial review, the People of Gwynedd Against Article 4 campaign group said the measures would devalue every property in the area and make houses harder to sell.

Legal advisers are "currently deciding if they have merit to appeal" - which would have to be launched within seven days of the judge's decision - a group member told BBC Wales.

John Brynmor Hughes, an independent councillor for Abersoch and Llanengan ward, said he was aware of the group's latest setback.

He opposed Article 4 and said there had been a downturn in local trade since its introduction.

“I was talking to a takeaway owner earlier today and business is down,” he said.

"People who come here now are saying: ‘Well if they don't want us, why should we support them?’

"Every business here in Abersoch is seeing a downturn."

Cyngor Gwynedd said it was aware of the judge’s decision, adding that the buying of houses to use as holiday lets and second homes had pushed prices up higher than locals could afford, while also reducing the number of properties available.

Eryri National Park is also looking to introduce Article 4 in June 2025, applicable to the areas of Gwynedd and Conwy counties where it is in charge of planning.