Planners reject 37 local families from 'turnkey' housing estate that has laid empty for two years - because they can only be used as holiday homes

By ELIZABETH HAIGH, SENIOR NEWS REPORTER Published: 11:51, 5 August 2026 | Updated: 11:58, 5 August 2026 Developers have rejected 37 Welsh families from a 'turnkey' housing estate that has been almost completely empty for two years, because of a little-known planning stipulation that they only be used as holiday homes. The construction firm behind the 16-home estate in Anglesey, north Wales, could appeal to the Welsh government after its application to overturn the planning rule was rejected by the local council. The ruling stated this was partly to protect the Welsh language, which is widely spoken in the area.  Since the estate was completed more than two years ago, just two homes have been purchased, with the other 14 three-bedroom properties still standing empty - despite prices being cut to just £250,000.  Locals were said to be impressed with the style and quality of the finished houses, but turned away 37 families looking to buy due to the planning permission stating they must be used as holiday homes and not permanent residences. The two-year standstill at the development near Benllech has been blamed on the condition imposed when permission was granted in 2007, as well as changes in tax rules on second homes. This had not proved an issue for developers during the first part of the scheme, which saw 20 properties completed in 2022 and sold quickly. Since then local opposition around a lack of residential housing in the area and the tax change have caused the demand for holiday homes to slump. The construction firm behind the 16-home estate in Anglesey, north Wales, could appeal to the Welsh government after its application to overturn the planning rule was rejected by the local council Since the estate was completed more than two years ago, just two homes have been purchased, with the other 14 three-bedroom properties still standing empty Second homes are now subject to a council tax premium of 100 per cent unless they are classed as holiday lets and rented out for at least 182 days of the year. While the restriction on second homes is welcomed by some, this has caused developer Parc Delfryn to have only seen two of its 16 homes sold. They are calling for Anglesey council to drop the planning restriction and allow the houses to be sold as residential homes. A planning agent said owner Collette Cartwright would be happy to have conditions imposed, restricting sales to those with connections to the island. The houses in the development had their prices dropped multiple times, most recently to £250,000 last summer. Some 10 per cent of homes in Anglesey are currently classed as second or holiday homes - higher than in other areas of Wales.  Agent Simon James, from PLanD, said: 'To date the applicant, notwithstanding the extensive efforts expended in seeking to sell the dwellings over two years, has only sold two properties. 'This in particular has occurred at a time when there is both clear government policy pressure to discourage the creation of holiday homes, in preference to full residential dwellings, and demonstrably, a good level of demand for family homes, itself increased by declining delivery of family homes and a likely rise in demand as both interest rates fall and recently announced significant economic investment in the area. 'There are therefore 14 fully completed, modern family homes ready to be occupied, but which, because of the particular occupancy restriction imposed, are unattractive in the market for the consented, restricted use, even though the price has been reduced quite substantially over time. 'At the same time, in the view of the marketing agents, the dwellings would have been very attractive in the general housing market as family dwellings. 'The applicant has turned away at least 37 families who enquired about the potential purchase of the properties as full time family homes, ie, these were not general searches, but specific enquiries made of the properties.' Estate agents Dafydd Hardy and Beresford Adams, who wrote a report on the market history of the site, questioned whether it is right to leave 'valuable housing stock lying idle'. It concluded: 'We have, we believe, demonstrated that a comprehensive, wide-ranging and sustained marketing campaign has been carried out with a very engaged client/owner who has responded to the marketing advice we have given. 'This has yielded very little positive results and this indicates that the market for second/holiday homes, at the very least in Brynteg, is simply not there at this time. 'The question therefore is, is it right to leave valuable housing stock lying idle when it can be put to a positive and sustainable use, and meet the acknowledged need of local families seeking attractive and long-term family housing?' But Anglesey planners ruled against changing the restriction that the homes were only allowed as holiday stays. Their refusal is based on the view it is not justified - and 'insufficient information has been received to demonstrate that the proposal will not have a detrimental impact upon the Welsh Language'. The developer is expected to appeal to the Welsh Government in a bid to overturn the condition. Mr James said 'serious consideration' is being given to appealing to the Government to overturn the rule. Any appeal would go to the Planning and Environment Decisions Wales (PEDW).