A HOLIDAY home owner in Tywyn has shown her support for a crowdfunding page set up to oppose Gwynedd Council’s second home premium.

Jane Robinson bought her home as an escape to the town that means so much to her family, and particularly her disabled daughter, Kaysie, who died in 2018.

“I think it’s a great idea, and I am really pleased to hear someone else is also willing to challenge the council’s decision,” she said.

“I shall definitely support it and follow the plight. I do feel that there is some discrimination towards English and other ‘outsiders’ buying holiday homes in Gwynedd.”

Jane, who lives in the West Midlands, added: “I feel the council over the years have not done enough to provide local young people with homes. But the big picture is that jobs in Gwynedd are few and far between, and so most young Welsh people are pushed inland to find jobs. By enforcing a premium on holiday homes it is not going to change the fact there are very few job opportunities in the area.”

Jane was left devastated by the council’s decision in March, and she has started the process of saying goodbye to the town.

She added: “I really was so devastated when the council announced that they were in fact enforcing the 100 per cent holiday home premium.

“After Gwynedd Council’s March announcement I had spoken to my family and decided I would keep our holiday home one more year as it would give me time to adjust to and come to terms with having to say goodbye to it and Tywyn.

“I just can’t afford to pay the £4,500 that my council tax bill has risen to.

“Luckily my parents are helping me this year with the fee, but others will not be as lucky which is very sad and I feel that in the long run Tywyn will see a negative impact on its economy because of it.”

A Gwynedd Council spokesperson said: “Recent research shows that 60 per cent of Gwynedd residents are priced out of the housing market. At the same time, Gwynedd has the highest percentage of second homes in Wales and is amongst the highest in terms of long term empty properties. The council was given powers by the Senedd to set a premium of up to 100 per cent on the council tax in relation to both these types of properties.

“The council has made it a priority to address this situation and to help ensure a suitable supply of affordable housing for local people to live in their communities through our housing strategy.

“After a careful discussion and deliberation, and having considered and balanced all relevant factors, including the results of a public consultation exercise and implications of the decision, Gwynedd councillors decided at a full Council meeting on 4 March, to increase the council tax premium on second homes and long term empty properties from 50 per cent to 100 per cent for the 2021/22 financial year.

“This decision is expected to generate an additional £3m tax yield to be earmarked for the delivery of the council’s Housing Strategy.”

The crowdfunding campaign has so far been pledged £8,070. www.crowdjustice.com/case/stop-gwynedds-unfair-and-discr/