A second homes group says its members have every sympathy with local people trying to buy property in Gwynedd but added "don't blame us". A hike in second homes and holiday lets has been blamed for pushing up property prices in parts of coastal and rural Gwynedd - forcing some from the communities in which they were raised.

It’s estimated that a tenth of Gwynedd’s housing stock now comprises second homes and holiday lets and in some areas, the figure is over 50%. This has seen Welsh Government introduce a range of tools for local authorities to mitigate the issue.

These include increasing the second homes council tax premium to 300%, tighter criteria on properties being registered as holiday lets to avoid the tax, and higher land transaction charges on purchases.

Cyngor Gwynedd has increased the premium to 150% and is also looking at introducing Article 4 which would mean that consent must be obtained before changing the use of a main home to a second home or short-term holiday accommodation.

But there has been a backlash from holiday home owners and some in the tourism sector who say the measures are impacting the economy. This saw a petition started on www.change.org - titled SAVE the Welsh Economy: ABOLISH the Council Tax Premium.

It says: "The very damaging council tax premium, minimum nightly letting requirement and possible nightly tourist tax must be abolished before it is too late. Please help us support the country we love and help its local businesses and tourist attractions to survive by signing this petition."

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It has received just over 3,600 signatures and was this morning presented to Cyngor Gwynedd.

In response Cyngor Gwynedd said money from the premium was being used to build affordable homes and tackle homelessness in the county. It said that the decision to increase the premium was "not taken lightly" and that they would monitor the effects on the economy.

Plaid Cymru’s leader at Westminster Liz Saville Roberts previously said the measures were "about how we are trying to keep these communities alive”. She added added that tourists are wanted and needed but it had to be in a way that is "mutually beneficial”.

Retired solicitor Paul Gill, who has owned a second home in Abersoch for 40 years, said: "There are very strong feelings over this and we now have 500 people in our group, and that includes second home owners, local residents and business owners. Second homes owners have every sympathy with local people who can't afford to buy a home in the area but we say it is not our fault.

"The council has failed to build affordable homes for 30 years in the area. We feel they are now making us pay for the lack of action on their part.

"We are against the second home premium. We believe this is against the tourism sector which is the main economic driver in Gwynedd, providing an income for many people in the area. Business are telling us that spending in shops, pubs, restaurants and attractions is down this summer.

"Now it is possible this is due to the current economic climate but people tell us they have had ups and downs in the past and it has not been like this before. We think as second home owners are paying large amounts in extra tax they have less money to spend in the local economy."

Asked if the premium was driving people like him away, he said: "A lot of people say they do not feel welcome here anymore. I don't personally feel that way as I know the people here are warm hearted. I have no intention of leaving but I know of others who do feel they are no longer welcome."

A Cyngor Gwynedd spokesperson said: “At a meeting of the Full Council on 1 December, 2022, members accepted the Cabinet’s recommendation that the Council Tax Premium on second homes was to be increased from 100% to 150% for the 2023/24 financial year and that the Premium should be kept at the current rate of 100% for long-term vacant houses.

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“The matter was presented to the Council following a change in the law in 2022, whereby Welsh councils were given the right to increase the maximum Council Tax Premium on such houses by up to 300% from April 2023 onwards. In their recommendation to the Full Council, Gwynedd’s Cabinet made it clear that the Premium should not be increased to the full 300% permitted, partly because of the envisaged impact on local businesses and tradespeople.

"As a council, we emphasise that the decision was not taken lightly – a consultation was held beforehand and all the feedback received was given due consideration. The impact of the change was discussed in detail on the floor of the chamber and the Council has committed to monitor the effects of the increased Council Tax Premium carefully.

“Since 2018, income from the Premium (up to 100%) has been earmarked towards funding the Council’s Housing Action Plan, which aims to increase the opportunities available for local people to live in their communities, including building new affordable housing. Additional funds raised by the increase from 100% to 150% has been earmarked for tackling the homelessness crisis, as Gwynedd saw a 47% increase in homelessness numbers between 2018/19 and 2021/2022.”

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