Pristine newbuild homes left abandoned for two years must remain empty… to stop English-speaking outsiders moving in

NewsUK News A NEWBUILD estate left abandoned for two years will remain empty over fears the homes will be bought by families who only speak English The plush housing estate in Anglesey, North Wales, has become a ghost town due to a planning condition which demands the properties are only used as holiday homes. A council has sparked outrage after forbidding locals from moving into the 14 newbuilds Credit: WNS The plush housing estate in Anglesey, North Wales, has become a ghost town Credit: WNS Developer Parc Delfryn has had to turn away at least 37 families due to the policy, which is in place to prevent English-speakers – including locals – from moving into the Welsh-speaking village. However, it has not stopped other developers from selling their properties as permanent homes, including one earlier scheme which sold its builds in 2022. Sign up for The Sun newsletter Thank you! The lack of residential housing in the area has left buyers appalled at the 14 empty, family-sized properties. Aerial shots show the polished esate sitting deserted next to a golf club, near a popular seaside town in Benllech. The 14 newbuilds have stood empty for over two years, despite the demand for housing Credit: WNS The policy requires that the properties remain holiday homes, to prevent English buyers from moving into the area Credit: WNS Estate agents Dafydd Hardy and Beresford Adams questioned whether it was right to leave “valuable housing stock lying idle”. They said that the market for holiday homes was “simply not there” and asked whether the properties could be put to better, more sustainable use as family homes. Second homes are now subject to a staggering council tax premium of 100 per cent – unless the pads are rented out for at least 182 days a year. While the restriction has been welcomed by some, it has left the estate developer struggling to sell the newbuilds – despite dropping the prices to £250,000. Most read in The Sun Parc Delfryn appealed to Anglesey Council to drop the policy but planning officers ruled against lifting the restriction. They argued that there was no guarantee the presence of English-speakers in the area would not impact the Welsh language spoken there. Agent Simon James, from PLanD, said the developer’s issues selling the properties coincide with the high demand for permanent homes. He added that they would be “very attractive” in the general housing market as “family dwellings”. He said that “serious consideration” is being given to overturn the policy. It is understood that Parc Delfryn will now appeal to the Welsh Government to drop the restriction so they can put the homes on the residential market. Comment now