Fears holiday homes in Wales could be targeted by arsonists as locals priced out of housing market
01.06.2022 - 16:59
/ manchestereveningnews.co.uk
Holiday homes in Wales could be targeted by arsonists, a housing chief has warned. As people are being priced out of properties, particularly in popular rural and coastal areas where there is a demand for second homes, residents could see a return to the firebombing campaigns of the 1970s and 80s.
Local action has been taken to stem the demand for holiday homes as communities express their concerns over property prices. The Welsh Government has introduced additional measures to curb demand.
This includes giving power to local authorities to hike council tax premiums to 300% and increasing the minimum time a property is let before it can qualify for business rates rather than pay council tax, North Wales Live reports.
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But tourism chiefs and opposition politicians say the solution lies in building more affordable homes in these areas and criticised the Welsh Government and some councils for failing to provide these properties, which has exacerbated the situation. They say targeting the tourism sector that brings thousands of jobs and millions of pounds of investment to these communities risks causing serious economic damage.
Gwynedd Council has been on the frontline on this issue - both in terms of the massive demand for holiday homes in the county and the response, with the authority using the 100% tax premium for second homes, the current maximum level. It has also been under-fire for not building enough properties.
Cllr Craig ab Iago, as housing portfolio holder, has been at the centre of the response and says while he believes the council is now leading the way on this in Wales he admits it
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