Editor,

Showing how out-of-touch second home owners are with the realities of the communities they have properties in, may be a reason for the accusation by John R Moss, in his letter (Cambrian News, 28 Oct.), that the Welsh Government and councils are waging a campaign of misinformation against second home owners.

There is a direct link between second homes, high housing stock prices and a free property market.Part-time dwellers, such as second homers, are not living within the local community, supporting local services and amenities such as local schools and engaging with the Welsh culture. They are actually depriving others of contributing in this way by buying up available properties. Supporting a rural economy through tourism is to be welcomed, visitors staying in holiday accommodation, eating and shopping locally, don’t undermine a culture and weaken a sustainable community in the way second homes do.

When there is affordable rent, properties ear-marked and protected for locals, then there is freedom for human endeavor and enterprise to flourish, for people to create income opportunities for themselves and to build self-sustaining communities.Today and throughout history,there have been unfair and unjust economic policies, with winners and losers. Being able to afford two homes, when many can not afford one, does have its moral implications.I applaud the Welsh Government for considering taxation, but am critical that this step comes late and does not go far enough. The Welsh Government will need to lead,creating laws where those unable to afford to rent or mortgage, are able to remain living within their communities.

Let this time not be on a par with that of the Highland Clearances of Scotland, where one economic model of greed took precedence over centuries’ sustainable way of living, forcing populations away from their locality, and leaving a countryside barren of its traditions, culture and way of life.

It is high time for the Welsh Government to take decisive action to protect its communities.

J Cunningham Aberystwyth

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