HIGH COURT STRIKES DOWN CYNGOR GWYNEDD SECOND HOMES POLICY AFTER £465K SPEND

Cyngor Gwynedd has faced calls to apologise to taxpayers following a High Court ruling that struck down its second homes policy. The council spent £465,654 implementing and defending Article 4, a measure requiring planning permission for converting properties into second homes or holiday lets. Gwynedd was the first council in Wales to introduce such a policy. The High Court found that flawed and incomplete information had been presented to councillors when they approved the measure. The council sought to appeal the ruling but was refused.

Councillor Gruffydd Williams has stated that the council should apologise for presenting defective papers to the cabinet and called for disclosure of any disciplinary steps taken. Opponents of the policy, represented by a group based in Abersoch, successfully argued in court that reports had significantly misled cabinet members. The High Court judgement does not affect areas of Gwynedd and Conwy that fall within the boundaries of Eryri National Park.

The council said it remained disappointed by the court's decision but continued to support the reasons for introducing Article 4, citing Gwynedd's high concentration of second homes and concerns about access to housing and Welsh-speaking communities. According to the council, £465,654 has been spent on the Article 4 process to date. Williams has stated publicly that disciplinary accountability is required to resolve the matter. The council has not yet confirmed next steps for replacing or revising the policy.