New package of measures to address second homes issue

New planning laws, a statutory licensing scheme and proposals to change land transaction tax will be included in a package of measures to address second homes in Wales.

First Minister Mark Drakeford and leader of Plaid Cymru Adam Price set out the next steps in a programme of actions to help create thriving communities and to support people to afford a home, in a joint press conference today (Monday 4 July).

The Co-operation Agreement between the Welsh Government and Plaid Cymru includes a commitment to tackle the issue of second homes affecting many communities in Wales.

The package of measures being announced today includes:

• Changes to planning regulations by the end of the summer. These will introduce three new planning use classes – a primary home, a second home and short-term holiday accommodation. Local planning authorities, where they have evidence, will be able to make amendments to the planning system to require planning permission for change of use from one class to another. We will also introduce changes to national planning policy to give local authorities the ability to control the number of second homes and holiday lets in any community.
  
  
• Plans to introduce a statutory licensing scheme for all visitor accommodation, including short-term holiday lets, making it a requirement to obtain a license. This will help raise standards across the tourism industry.
  
  
• Following a consultation about varying land transaction tax locally in areas with large numbers of second homes, work will start today (Monday 4 July) with local authorities to develop a national framework so they can request increased land transaction tax rates for second homes and holiday lets to be applied in their local area.

The Welsh Government has already introduced a range of measures to address the issue of second homes, including giving councils the discretionary power to increase council tax premiums on second and empty homes and it has changed the rules on holiday lets so owners and operators make a fair contribution to their local communities.

First Minister Mark Drakeford said: "We are today setting out the next steps in a radical programme to ensure everyone has the opportunity to afford to live in their local community – whether that’s buying or renting a home.

“We have a shared ambition for Wales to be a nation of thriving communities – a country where people do not have to leave to find good and rewarding work and a country which people want to come to visit and to live.

“Tourism is vital to our economy but having too many holiday properties and second homes, which are empty for much of the year, does not make for healthy local communities and prices people out of the local housing market.

“There is no single, simple solution to these issues. Any action we take must be fair. We do not want to create any unintended consequences, which could destabilise the wider housing market or make it harder for people to rent or buy.”

Plaid Cymru Leader Adam Price said: “We are committed to using a range of planning, taxation and property levers to tackle the issue of second and unaffordable homes – and to do so with urgency.

“The package of purposeful measures that have been developed as a result of the constructive cooperation between Plaid Cymru and the Government in this area will, together, begin to address the injustices in our housing system and make a real difference to people and communities right across our nation.

“The aim is to give everyone ‘yr hawl i fyw adra’– the ability to live and work in the communities in which they grew up.”

Dancing prince hails Eisteddfod's 'shining example of peace'

* Getting down to the bhangra beat ... the Prince of Wales with the Sheerer Punjab Bhangra dance group in 2015.

The Prince of Wales has hailed an international festival where he once did some impromptu bhangra dancing as a “shining example of peace and harmony”.

The royal tribute was in the foreword he wrote for the programme of the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod that’s celebrating its 75^th anniversary this year.

The event was established in1947 in the aftermath of the Second World War as a way of bringing the nations of the world closer together in a colourful, multi-cultural melting pot.

Ever since the picturesque town of Llangollen in the Dee Valley has been known as the place where Wales meets the world.

The popular festival which helped launch the careers of opera superstars Luciano Pavarotti and Sir Bryn Terfel had to be cancelled in 2020 for the first time due to the impact of the Coronavirus pandemic.

In 2021 it took on a virtual format with performances streamed online but this year Wales will once again welcome the world to the little town in the Dee Valley.

The festival starts on Thursday, July 7, and culminates with Llanfest on Sunday, July 10, when the Eisteddfod joins forces with the Llangollen Fringe Festival.

The Prince is the long-standing Patron of the Eisteddfod which he has visited three times.

* Prince Charles meets an overseas visitor to the 2015 Eisteddfod.

On the last occasion in 2015, when he was accompanied by the Duchess of Cornwall, he was captured on camera dancing to a bhangra beat with the Sheerer Punjab Bhangra Dance group from Nottingham.

The Eisteddfod’s royal connection stretches all the way back to 1953 when it was one of the first of the then newly-crowned Queen Elizabeth’s official engagements after she succeeded her father, George VI.

In the foreword, the Prince of Wales wrote: “When the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod was founded in 1947 in a world weary of war, no-one could have foreseen that it would still be a beacon of inspiration three quarters of a century later.

“Over the years since then, the vision of those early founders has been triumphantly realised, and this little town in the Dee Valley has witnessed, time and again, the kind of concord between the nations that gives us all hope for the future.

“It is a source of great pride to me, as Patron of the Eisteddfod, that Wales should have given the world this shining example of peace and harmony.

“The success of the Festival has proved the truth of the Eisteddfod motto – Byd gwyn fydd byd a gano. Gwaraidd fydd ei gerddi fo. A world that sings is truly blessed.

“In my visits over the years, it has always been a joy to see how people from so many different backgrounds and cultures can find a common language in music, and can create new and lasting friendships.

“At a time when we once again find our world overshadowed by conflict, we need the vision of Llangollen more than ever. As you celebrate the magnificent achievement of reaching this significant anniversary, I send everyone connected with the Festival my warmest good wishes.

“Dymuniadau gorau i chi i gyd (Best wishes to you all).

The Eisteddfod’s Executive Producer, Camilla King, said: “We are extremely grateful to the Prince of Wales for the wonderful words in the foreword he has written for the programme.

“I know that his steadfast support over many years has always been gratefully appreciated.

“It is fitting that our 75^th anniversary coincides with the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee so there will be even more reason to celebrate.”

Over the four days of the Eisteddfod there will be a host of new attractions and activities on the revamped outdoor site, including music, dance, talks, comedy, food, drink, shopping, workshops and pop-up entertainment.

In the evenings there will be concerts featuring the singing duo of Aled Jones and Russell Watson and Anoushka Shankar, the British-Indian-American sitar player, producer, film composer and activist who is the daughter of renowned musician Ravi Shankar, and half-sister of singer Norah Jones.

The competitions climax on Saturday night with Choir of the World and the contest for the Pendine International Voice of the Future featuring the finest young singers from around the world on the stage where Placido Domingo, Kiri Te Kanawa, Elaine Paige, Michael Ball, Sir Bryn Terfel and Luciano Pavarotti have performed.

This year’s Eisteddfod is a shortened version of previous years but will still pack plenty in with a full programme of competitions in the Pavilion and starting on Thursday with Schools Day and the Young Peacemaker Awards.

Sunday sees the Eisteddfod let its hair down for Llanfest before the climactic final concert featuring indie rock stars Amber Run, blues powerhouse Elles Bailey and Bajan-Welsh singer songwriter Kizzy Crawford

* For more on Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod and its competitions and concerts as well as how to get to it and where to stay go to http://international-eisteddfod.co.uk/ or check out https://www.facebook.com/llangollen

Church bells to ring out for Eisteddfod and its staunch supporter

* St Collen's bell tower.

At 3pm this Wednesday, July 6, local bell-ringers will be ringing the bells at St Collen's Church for 45-50 minutes to celebrate the return of the Eisteddfod after a two-year break caused by Covid.

They will also be celebrating the life of Sandie Attenburrow who died recently and had contributed much to the Eisteddfod over many years. 

Mrs Attenburrow was also very supportive of St Collen's and Llantysilio parish churches.

* Sandie Attenburrow (bottom row, centre) with fellow members of the Eisteddfod floral team.

Police seek information about stolen trailer

Police are seeking information about the theft of a trailer from near Llangollen.

In a message sent over the Neighbourhood Alert system PC 2264 Chris James of the Rural Crime Team says: "Between 0100hrs and 0130hrs on 25th June 2022 an Ifor Williams tipper style trailer was stolen from a property on Gilfach Road, Fron, Llangollen.

"The trailer was bearing the serial number TT85G1523062600.

"It appears that the theft was pre-planned as it was pushed down a field onto a country lane where it was attached to a vehicle before being driven into a second field, where the gate had been removed, down to another gate and then out onto the A5 between Fron and Whitehurst.

"Anyone with any information that may assist with the return of the trailer and the identification of suspects is asked to make contact with North Wales Police under reference 22000447384.

"Please ensure that all trailers are safely stored and secured when not in use and kept out of the way of passers by if in rural locations.

"Any suspicious vehicles can be reported to North Wales Police."

Have your say on improving Pengwern Vale

 

Llangollen's second home issue raised in Senedd

The issue of second homes and self-catering accommodation in Llangollen has been raised in the Senedd by local Member Ken Skates. 

Responding to concerns raised by his constituents in the town, Mr Skates tabled a question to Minister for Finance and Local Government, Rebecca Evans, on Wednesday (July 29). 

On May 24, the Minister confirmed that the Welsh Government has legislated to increase the number of days within any 12-month period that a self-catering property is required to be made available to let from 140 to 252 days, and actually let from 70 to 182 days. 

Councils will also be given powers to charge a second home premium of up to 300% from April 2023. 

In the Senedd, Mr Skates asked: “What impact will changing the classification of self-catering properties for tax purposes have on residents in communities with increasing amounts of self-catering accommodation?” 

The Minister responded: “Our changes, which form part of our three-pronged approach, will help strike the right balance between capacity within the self-catering tourism sector, and the economic benefits that brings, and supporting viable communities of local residents.” 

Referencing Llangollen, Clwyd South MS Mr Skates went on to say: “This is really good to hear, because I’m sure you would agree that tourism is vitally important to the Welsh economy. But, of course, with the rapid rise in self-catering units, there is a risk that some towns and villages will cater more to visitors than to residents. 

“This is something that’s been raised with me by concerned residents in Llangollen on numerous occasions, when parts of the town – as many as one in five properties – are now advertised as Airbnb self-catering units. 

"Would you agree that we have to ensure that towns and villages across Wales are alive and active 12 months of the year, and can you guarantee that the measures that you have outlined will lead to a careful balance between our interest in driving the visitor economy and the need to ensure that towns and villages are living towns and villages?”

The Minister told the Senedd: “Absolutely. This strand of our policy, in terms of addressing the impact that large numbers of second homes and holiday lets can have on some communities in Wales, is about doing exactly that which Ken Skates has described. That’s creating sustainable communities where people can live year-round and where, in winter, you don’t go into those villages and find that the lights are off in the majority of those properties. 

“We know that in Newport, Pembrokeshire, for example, or in Abersoch, 40% of properties there are second homes and holiday lets, and that’s just not a balanced community. We absolutely recognise the importance of tourism, but I think that we also need to recognise that sustainable communities are important, and giving those opportunities to people to live in the communities within which they grew up and where they want to work and make a life for themselves.” 

Backgound

·     * On March 2, the Minister for Finance and Local Government announced the next steps being taken following the Welsh Government’s consultation on local taxes for second homes and self-catering accommodation. The steps form part of the Welsh Government’s plans to ensure property owners make a fair contribution to the communities where they have homes or run businesses. This work, in turn, is part of the Welsh Government’s three-pronged approach to addressing the impact that large numbers of second homes and holiday lets can have on communities and the Welsh language.

* The Welsh Government said views conveyed in the consultation, including those from the wider tourism industry, clearly supported a change to the criteria for self-catering accommodation to be classified as non-domestic. Respondents were of the view that the majority of genuine holiday accommodation businesses would be able to satisfy increased letting thresholds, and a wide range of possible alternatives were suggested. 

·     *  Following the consultation, the Welsh Government is of the view that properties let out as self-catering accommodation should be classed as non-domestic only if they are being used for business purposes for the majority of the year. 

·       *  On May 24, the Minister confirmed that the Welsh Government has legislated to increase the number of days within any 12-month period that a self-catering property is required to be made available to let from 140 to 252 days, and actually let from 70 to 182 days.* 

·       * The legislation came into force on June 14 and will have practical effect from April 1, 2023. Property owners intending to meet the amended criteria should aim to do so during the 2022-23 operating year, but compliance with the criteria will not be assessed until April. 

·        * The Welsh Government recognises that the stronger criteria may be challenging for some operators to meet. The purpose of the change is to help ensure property owners are making a fair contribution to local communities, for example by increasing their contribution to the local economy through greater letting activity or by paying council tax on their properties. The Welsh Government’s policy priority is to support sustainable communities and affordable housing, as set out in its three-pronged approach. 

·       * The Welsh Government recognises that some self-catering properties are restricted by planning conditions preventing permanent occupation as someone’s main residence. Separate regulations provide for an exception from a council tax premium for properties restricted by one type of planning condition. The Welsh Government is exploring whether further amendments are necessary in advance of the changes taking practical effect. 

·        * The Welsh Government will also be issuing revised guidance to local authorities on additional options that are available in the event that self-catering properties restricted by planning conditions do not meet the letting criteria.

 

Sir Bryn and First Minister send 75th birthday greetings to Eisteddfod

 

* Sir Bryn Terfel.

Opera star Sir Bryn Terfel and First Minister Mark Drakeford are leading a chorus of congratulation for an iconic festival that’s celebrating its 75^th anniversary.

Also among those who’ve sent their best wishes to Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod is the popular singer and TV presenter, Aled Jones, who will be performing at this year’s event.

After a Covid-enforced absence, competitors are returning to Llangollen just in time to mark the momentous milestone.

The festival was established in 1947 under the dark shadow cast by the Second World War as a way of promoting peace through musical harmony and dance.

Since then hundreds of thousands of competitors from all over the world have beaten a path to the picturesque Dee Valley town where Wales meets the world.

The pandemic put a temporary halt to the festival as a physical event and it took on a virtual format last year, with performances streamed online.

But preparations are well under way for this year’s comeback Eisteddfod, which starts on Thursday, July 7 and culminates with Llanfest on Sunday, July 10, when the eisteddfod will join forces with the Llangollen Fringe Festival.

Over the years the festival has helped launch the careers of global stars like Luciano Pavarotti.

After competing on the famous pavilion stage as an up and coming young base baritone from Pantglas in Gwynedd, Sir Bryn went on to forge a stellar career as one of the world’s greatest opera singers.

In a specially recorded video message, Sir Bryn said: “I send my heartfelt congratulations to the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod as it celebrates its 75^th anniversary.

“I have great memories of Llangollen  as a young emerging artiste competing there and the returning to perform in the evening concerts – always truly inspired in the thoughts one was following in the footsteps of truly great artistes.

“I myself returned to the pavilion for performances of Tosca by Puccini and Sweeney Todd by Stephen Sondheim.

“A truly unique event that is lauded as an international treasure – the people, the stage, the audiences, even all those beautiful flowers at the front of the stage making such a truly memorable and unique experience.

“Llongyfarchiadau enfawr i chi i gyd yn Llangollen a chariwch ymlaen (Congratulations to you all in Llangollen and carry on).

First Minister Mark Drakeford is also a big fan of the event and what it stands for.

In his video, he said: “The Llangollen International Eisteddfod is truly an icon of the Welsh cultural landscape, and it’s particularly exciting to be able to welcome in person attendees back to the event and back to Wales this year.

“So many of us have memories of attending the international eisteddfod in its beautiful North Wales location at different points in our own lives.

“Even those who have yet to visit will be aware of the wealth of inspiring images that emerge from the event each summer as Llangollen plays host to cultural guests from right around the globe.

“Many of these overseas performers are visiting Wales for the first time and we know how struck they are by the warmth of the welcome with which they are received. 

“As relevant today as when it was first established in the aftermath of the Second World War, the overriding message of the International Eisteddfod is of international harmony and cooperation and it gives us that annual opportunity to reflect upon these vital priorities.

“And more than anything Llangollen gives us a practical demonstration of how effectively a shared cultural experience can contribute to these goals of international cooperation. Long may that continue.

“Finally let me add my personal thanks and note of appreciation for all those achievements of the last 75 years.

“I wish everyone involved the very best of luck for this year’s event and for Llangollen’s very special anniversary celebration.”  

Clwyd South Senedd Member Ken Skates is a long-standing supporter of the Eisteddfod.

He said: “This is the first time since 2019 that the event is going to be taking place physically because of the pandemic and my goodness me the International Eisteddfod is just as relevant today as it ever was.

“Today with what’s happening around the globe but particularly in Ukraine it makes the International Eisteddfod just so important and just as relevant as back in 1947.

 “So the Eisteddfod has been assisted over the years by many individuals and many organisations including the Welsh Government who have supported it financially through some difficult and challenging times.

“And the Llangollen Eisteddfod located in the magnificent Dee Valley in the beautiful town of Llangollen is always welcoming to people from around the world and I know this year will be as welcoming as ever, diolch.” 

During the four-day event, there will be a host of new attractions and activities on the revamped outdoor site, including music, dance, talks, comedy, food, drink, shopping, workshops and pop-up entertainment.

In the evenings there will be concerts featuring the singing duo of Aled Jones and Russell Watson and Anoushka Shankar, the British-Indian-American sitar player, producer, film composer and activist who is a half-sister to singer Norah Jones.

In his video message, Aled said: “Just want to say a huge congratulations to Llangollen on their 75^th anniversary. I am so proud to part of the amazing event this year. Llongyfarchiadau (Congratulations”.

The competitions climax on Saturday night with Choir of the World and the contest for the Pendine International Voice of the Future featuring the finest young singers from around the world on the stage where Placido Domingo, Kiri Te Kanawa, Elaine Paige, Michael Ball, Sir Bryn Terfel and Luciano Pavarotti have performed.

This year’s Eisteddfod is a shortened version of previous years but will still pack plenty in with a full programme of competitions in the Pavilion and starting on Thursday with Schools Day and the Young Peacemaker Awards.

Sunday sees the Eisteddfod let its hair down for Llanfest before the climactic final concert featuring indie rock stars Amber Run, blues powerhouse Elles Bailey and Bajan-Welsh singer songwriter Kizzy Crawford

* For more on Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod and its competitions and concerts as well as how to get to it and where to stay go to http://international-eisteddfod.co.uk/ or check out https://www.facebook.com/llangollen