A CAMPAIGN has been launched to stop the sale of two houses in Llangwnnadl that have been rented out by a trust to local people since 1788.

Campaigners say two listed houses at Llain Fatw were bought in 1788 for £40 with money left in the will of Richard Griffith of Pen yr Orsedd, and have since then been rented out to local people.

They have been under the stewardship of the Parish Vicar and two Churchwardens of Llangwnnadl who are trustees of the charity, the campaigners say, and added: “The whole community has been amazed that the houses have now been put up for sale on the open market.

“Our hope as a community is that the houses are taken off the market and transferred to the care of the community to be renovated and rented out to local people.

“The cottages are cob cottages - known as ‘clom’ in Wales - with walls made from earth, and are historically important.”

Some months before the first coronavirus lockdown, Sian Parri, chair of Tudweiliog Community Council, held discussions with the Trustees and residents, and plans were under way to renovate the houses.

There were also discussions about trying to join two local charitable trusts.

But now the houses have been put on the market.

Sian said: “It was a shock when the houses were put up for sale without mentioning it to anyone who had been involved in the previous discussions.

“The people of Llangwnnadl have always understood that these houses have been for the use of local residents, and everyone wants to see them remain in the hands of the community for that purpose.”

She said the trustees have been “presented with a way forward” that includes bringing two local trusts together to form a new one that will carry on with the purposes of both.

The community-backed proposal includes offers of financial assistance, together with time from professionals such as builders, building conservation specialists, legal specialists and local young people ready to take up the challenge of running a new charity.

A petition - www.change.org/p/ymddiriedolaeth-llainfatw-cadw-llainfatw - was signed by over 1,000 people in less than 48 hours.

The issue has highlighted wider concerns about the impact of a rise in people buying holiday homes in Welsh rural communities.

Nefyn Town Council members have sent a letter to the main political parties in Wales asking how they intend to resolve the housing crisis.

The trustees have been asked to comment.