CALLS are being made for land to be made available in Porthmadog to build affordable homes, as one town councillor claims the area is being “destroyed by second homes”.

Cllr Bethan Rees Jones is calling for Gwynedd Council to allow developers to build only affordable homes in certain areas of Porthmadog to “protect the Welsh language” and “keep young people in the area”.

The town councillor believes Gwynedd should model itself on St Ives in Cornwall, whose residents have recently backed a vote to stem the tide of second homes-building in the Cornish town after complaints over lack of affordable housing available.

Cllr Rees Jones said: “We have a very serious problem with the lack of affordable homes available here in Porthmadog.

“Porthmadog is not the only area suffering with this issue; Pen Llyn also has a major issue with the number of second homes being built and lack of affordable housing for those who live here.

“I believe the majority of homes in Borth y Gest are holiday homes and the rest of the area is affected by this, it dents our economy all year round and also affects the Welsh language.

“There has been a recent movement in St Ives in Cornwall which has seen residents stepping up to stop the surge in second homes in their town and only housing projects that are being built for full-time residents will get permission.

“Why can’t we do something like this in Gwynedd? If a tiny little town in Cornwall can do it, why can’t we?"

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