Planning guidelines are to blame for Morfa Nefyn “slowly becoming a no-go area for local people to buy property”, Cllr Gruff Williams has warned.

He claims Gwynedd’s planning policies – based on the Joint Local Development Plan adopted in 2017- work against efforts to provide homes for local people, and encourage more outsiders to build and adapt homes in rural Llyn while ramping up house prices and “strangling” the Welsh language. “We could easily have another Abersoch on our hands if we’re not careful”, he said, ahead of a decision on the planned adaptation and extension of a home on Mynydd Nefyn, which was sold last year for £330,000. The owners of Tan y Mynydd stress it will be used as a family rather than holiday home, but the plans have sparked unanimous opposition from Nefyn Town Council amid fears it will open the floodgates for similar developments, despite its location on the cusp of the Llyn Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB). Planning officers recommend approving the plans – which include removing the render and expanding the three bedroom house’s footprint by demolishing an outbuilding and conservatory, replacing them with a new extension. Cllr Williams, who has previously criticised delegated planning, added: “When local people want to build an affordable home there seems to be various obstacles thrown in their way, with limitations including a 94 square metre limit for a three bedroom house, which Gwynedd Council strictly adheres to,” he said. “Yet these plans will see the floor space expand threefold but still recommended for approval, which begs the question if these policies are working for or against local people? “The policies seem to be used to justify all sorts of applications we don’t want but are seemingly forced to accept, while local people are struggling to receive fair play. “The result of the over development of tourism in this area is clear, you could say that Morfa Nefyn is already slowly becoming a no-go area for local people to buy, we could easily have another Abersoch on our hands if we’re not careful. “Planning has a responsibility to protect communities and not allow such a precedent in the first place by opening the floodgates."The applicants say they plan to use local builders and materials where available and it’s siting within the landscape was considered. A Gwynedd Council spokesperson said: “Planning applications are determined in accordance with the statutory requirements with decisions also made in accordance with the council’s scheme of delegation. “Securing affordable housing that offers local residents the opportunity to own their own homes is one of the council’s top priorities and we have implemented an affordable housing policy for a number of years. “Our policies aim to provide affordable housing for those in genuine need and those who are eligible for affordable housing. “The planning criteria include proving the need for an affordable house, that the size of the house is affordable and that there is a mechanism such as a 106 agreement to control the future occupancy and price of the house.”