Mebyon Kernow – The Party for Cornwall has welcomed the announcement from the Welsh Government that Councils to the west of Offa’s Dyke will be allowed to control the numbers of second homes and holiday lets in their areas.

The announcement was made today by the Labour First Minister Mark Drakeford and Adam Price, the leader of MK’s sister party Plaid Cymru, as part of a co-operation agreement.

A new licensing scheme for short-term holiday lets and Airbnbs will also be introduced.

The Welsh Government has committed itself to making changes to planning regulations by the end of the summer. It will introduce three new classes of property in the planning system: a primary home, second home and short-term holiday accommodation. Local authorities will then be able to make amendments to the planning system to require planning permission for change of use from one class to another. They will also be allowed to set a ceiling on numbers of second homes in their local communities.

Speaking on behalf of Mebyon Kernow, Party Leader Cllr Dick Cole said:

“It is great news for Wales that the Welsh Government is introducing controls on second homes, and it follows their decision to allow local councils to charge a 300% premium on such part-time properties.

“This is happening because Wales has a meaningful devolution settlement and the powers to make decisions that are the best for Welsh communities.

“I am proud that MK has been campaigning for such controls for over forty years. But here in Cornwall, we have been denied devolution and therefore do not have the powers to do what is happening in Wales.

“Securing housing justice must be a priority for Cornwall, and we need devolution to build a new political system which allows us to protect communities and prioritise need over wealth and privilege.”