Calls have been made for a new protection zone forcing would-be owners in one corner of Gwynedd to obtain planning permission before being allowed to convert a house into a second home.

The recommendation that a trial area should be set up for a new planning class is just one of 12 made by Porthmadog-based academic Dr Simon Brooks in a recent Welsh Government-commissioned study, following concerns the issue is growing out of control in some coastal communities.

Nefyn Town Council has unanimously passed a motion offering itself as a pilot area to trial out such a move.

Dr Brooks’ recommendation is that ministers “should conduct a trial in a community severely impacted by second homes, and where there is community support for doing so, to evaluate the feasibility and impact of introducing a new use class for second homes”.

At present no planning permission is needed to transfer a normal dwelling into a second home.

Cllr Rhys Tudur urged ministers to act on the recommendations of the report.

A Welsh Government spokesperson, however, said any decision would now be down to the next government elected after 6 May.

“The concern is that momentum generated by the report will be lost now there’s an election on the horizon, but we mustn’t allow that to happen,” said Cllr Tudur.

“This shows we are determined to do something about the situation, and fulfils the criteria that community support is needed.

“Having commissioned this, the ball’s in the government’s court, but we don’t want to let up now.

MP Liz Saville Roberts, who lives in Morfa Nefyn, said: “We urgently need greater controls around the volume of houses that can transfer from being primary homes to second homes or buy-to-let holiday accommodation.

“Reforming our planning system is one aspect of mitigating the impact of this crisis.

“I look forward to seeing how this motion by Cyngor Tref Nefyn takes forward our national debate on housing and social equality, as this community is ideally placed to pilot such an initiative.”

In response to Nefyn Town Council’s motion, a Welsh Government spokesperson said: “We are committed to making affordable homes available and our record investment has delivered 20,000 new affordable homes in this Assembly term.

“We welcomed Dr Brooks’ report which recognises there are roles for both the Welsh Government and local authorities in developing solutions and we will be considering its findings carefully.

“However, we have also been clear that any significant decisions requiring legislation have to be for the next administration.”