In a bid to discourage second home buying in Wales, new plans have been announced at the National Eisteddfod in Tregaron stating that Welsh speaking buyers will get the first priority when purchasing a new house.
Potential buyers may be tested of their Cymraeg (the Welsh language) credentials. This is part of the Welsh Language Community Housing Plan (WLCHP).
This is set to give local homeowners a chance on the housing market as well as to strengthen the Welsh-speaking communities.
The “fair chance scheme” is part of a project by the Welsh Government aiming to address the housing concerns in local communities. Discretion has also been given to local authorities to raise council tax for up to 300% on second and long-term empty houses.
In addition to this, new planning laws were introduced in July 2022, as well as a change to land transaction tax to areas with a high percentage of second homes, and a licensing scheme for visitor accommodation was also brought in, in an attempt to ease pressure on the Welsh housing market.
Jeremy Miles, Minister for Education and Welsh language, says:
“For the Welsh language to thrive, we need sustainable communities and good job opportunities in the areas where it is widely spoken.
This isn’t about imposing solutions, so everything we do will be in line with local communities’ aspirations.
I’ve said many times that the Cymraeg belongs to us all, as does the responsibility for its future. We’ll have to be brave and tackle things together that might be difficult.”
Dr Simon Brooks, who previously published proposals second home policies in Wales for the Welsh Government, will chair the commission. He said:
“Cymraeg belongs to us all and developing Welsh-speaking communities is crucial to its future as a living language.”
One Response
I totally agree that locals should be given priority when new homes become available, but the Welsh government plans are not only aimed at second and long-term empty houses, they are also going to hit viable holiday let businesses.
The new plans that come into effect next April will see an extra 300% council tax for holiday lets that are not let for 182 days (six months) or more in a 12 month period; the holiday seasons in Wales don’t come to six months, so it is anticipated that around 1,400 businesses will go out of business as a consequence.
Believe it or not, the Welsh government has not carried out an impact assessment looking at how the the plans could decimate local tourist areas, with the loss of employment for cleaners, maintenance contractors, hospitality providers, etc., and the loss of income from visitors who can’t find accommodation; many of the holiday lets are run by Welsh citizens, so their own government is penalising them for adding value to their local communities!
The focus should not be on getting rid of second home owners, a topic the media love, but also on how local communities will be affected by the unintended consequences!