anticipating restrictions on second property ownership by Welsh council
In the heart of Wales, the housing crisis continues to escalate, with 10,872 people, including children, residing in temporary accommodations by May 2023 - a 33% increase compared to the previous year. Amidst this crisis, the county of Gwynedd, which has seen a 3.7% population decline according to the latest Census, is preparing to take a significant step.
If approved by Cyngor Gwynedd's cabinet on 16 July, the local authority will become the first in Wales to implement the Article 4 direction. This planning tool, commonly used in the UK to restrict permitted development rights, has been employed in Gwynedd previously to manage housing changes and alleviate pressures.
The Article 4 direction, granted to councils by the Welsh government in 2021, makes planning permission mandatory before turning a property into a second home or holiday accommodation. By limiting the number of second homes and holiday lets, the hope is to preserve affordable housing stock for local residents and address the housing shortage.
The decision to introduce this policy comes as a response to the decline in the Welsh language community in Gwynedd, a region where the proportion of Welsh speakers has decreased by 1% according to the latest Census. The Welsh language group, Cymdeithas yr laith, has been vocal in its call for action, urging Cyngor Gwynedd's cabinet to limit second homes and holiday lets and encouraging other local authorities to follow suit.
Dr Jeff Smith, Chair of the Cymdeithas yr Iaith Sustainable Communities Group, has also called on other councils to emulate Gwynedd's example, citing the need to address the housing crisis and preserve communities.
The Welsh Government has a duty to prepare a support package that includes funding for additional staff to administer the Article 4 direction and to provide clear guidelines for its implementation. However, the specifics of this support package are not detailed in the latest search results.
As the housing crisis continues to unfold, the decision made by Cyngor Gwynedd's cabinet on 16 July will be closely watched, as it could set a precedent for other local authorities in Wales. For the latest updates on policy changes or specific Welsh Government support packages targeting Article 4 directions in Gwynedd, it's recommended to consult current Welsh Government housing and planning publications or direct local authority announcements.
- The Article 4 direction, a planning tool to restrict permitted development rights, is set to be implemented by the county of Gwynedd in a bid to address the housing shortage, preserve affordable housing for local residents, and potentially serve as a precedent for other local authorities in Wales.
- Amidst the call to action by the Welsh language group, Cymdeithas yr Laith, and Dr Jeff Smith, Chair of the Cymdeithas yr Iaith Sustainable Communities Group, the Welsh Government is expected to prepare a support package to assist Gwynedd in administering the Article 4 direction, which aims to mitigate the housing crisis and protect communities.
