Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 4:25 pm on 6 July 2021.
Diolch. Well, I can confirm that Flintshire County Council are building 500 affordable houses for rent, thanks to Welsh Government policies and funding as well to help with that. So, I am pleased that the Welsh Government is tackling this issue of second home ownership seriously with the outlined three-pronged approach. Just this week, I was contacted by a constituent. She has seen a 40 per cent increase in homes in her area of Llandudno being bought for holiday lets, and she recently received a letter through her door, which reads as follows:
'I am keen to purchase a second home in the Llandudno, Conwy area in the next 18 months. Once furlough ends, if house prices do fall, then I would be inclined to wait and see when at what price they bottom out. Therefore, I am keen to commit as soon as possible as to not allow market turbulence decisions to get in the way. So, for me, it is a long-term strategy.'
The resident phoned to clarify what the writer meant by this, and he was very clear his aim is to maximise profit. I think this is evidence of the clear pressures local people are under to sell from those looking to profiteer, and the scale of the problems we face in north Wales. So, I very much hope that my region in north Wales is being considered for the pilot that was mentioned earlier. So, I would like to make that approach to you, please.
So, I welcome the proposals laid out—