MP Liz Saville Roberts says she is deeply concerned over the impact of second homes after latest figures revealed that nearly 40 per cent of homes sold in Gwynedd last year were holiday homes or buy-to-let.

Two out of five houses bought last year in the county were purchased as second homes or properties to rent out – the highest proportion across England, Wales and Northern Ireland. According to HMRC data, second home buyers – including property investors and landlords buying houses to rent out – were undeterred by new taxes on extra properties.

A second home is defined by HMRC as a property that is bought by buyers who already have primary residences. Last year 39 per cent of the properties sold in Gwynedd were classified as second homes.

Around 820 were bought in the financial year 2017-18, with a combined value of £154 million.

That’s despite an extra three per cent stamp duty charge on additional properties and Gwynedd Council introducing a council tax premium for second homes, raising the amount owners pay by 50 per cent.

Mrs Saville Roberts said: “I am deeply concerned that the impact of second homes is increasing once again in Gwynedd.

“My family and I live in Morfa Nefyn, and I know first-hand how frustrating it is for young people to be priced out of the market in their own community.

“The impact of second homes is immense, driving up house prices beyond the reach of local salaries while reducing communities to ghost towns during winter months.

“Housing and planning are both devolved and the Welsh Labour Government must use their powers to address the deep inequality of which the second home market is a stark symbol in many rural and coastal communities.”

A Treasury spokesperson said: “We want to support the dream of home ownership for the next generation. Higher rates of stamp duty on second homes means we can afford to offer more support to first time buyers through the stamp duty relief.”

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