Editor

A major story appearing in both Welsh national and local newspapers is the thorny question of second home ownership. No matter which paper I am reading about this subject, it seems they want to control who buys the vacant property or financially punish the second home owner.

The first paragraph in the Cambrian News report of 24 June says“Ceredigion County Council is calling on the Welsh Government to give them the power to control the number of holiday homes in the county, to keep young people in the area”.

They argue that high property prices are forcing young people to leave their communities.

I would like to know what in depth research or study has been carried out on this subject, other than simply observing properties becoming second homes?Just publishing flat figures of the number of second homes does not tell the real story.

Is the person selling the property moving away from their village and selling to the highest offer? If that is a reason, then it is the housing market at work. Has the property been left to someone in a will, and they decide to sell it? Assuming that prices were kept low in order that local young people could afford them, where is the work for them? I think it is a safe bet to suggest that most young people leave their communities to find work. If Ceredigion council is successful in its quest, what is stopping the young person from buying a home and after a short period selling it at a large profit?

Let us not forget that people from away who purchase a second home still have to spend money with local traders, builders, electricians, plumbers, etc. I doubt they only visit their second home once a year. Some let their home out to holidaymakers.Ceredigion is after all a holiday destination.

Those who let their homes still have to employ local people to look after the property.

To add a 100 per cent premium on the rate is simply financial punishment. Councils need to look at why people are selling their homes in the first place.At the moment it appears that councils are trying to cure the symptoms and not the cause.Also, and I hope that I am wrong, there seems to be an anti-English overtone to some views.

The simplest way to solve this is for the seller to only sell to local people, and we know that is not feasible.

Chris Samuel Aberystwyth

Have your say on the local issues affecting you - email [email protected] or join in the conversation on our Facebook page