Visit Pembrokeshire’s chief executive has highlighted continuing concerns from self-catering operators across the county, that current Welsh Government policies to control the number of second homes is ‘significantly impacting’ businesses and putting many at risk of becoming unviable.

This month, Welsh estate and letting agents are helping with research into how Welsh Government policy and other factors are affecting the housing market in parts of Wales popular with visitors.

During October, the organisation Visit Pembrokeshire, working with the Wales Tourism Alliance and Propertymark, have invited Pembrokeshire based property agents to participate in a series oF meetings, sharing firsthand evidence which will be presented to the Cabinet Secretary, Jayne Bryant MS, in November. 

Suzy Davies, Wales Tourism Alliance Chair commented: “There are a range of reasons why owners are selling up in areas of Wales where tourism is a major part of the local economy.

“However, the Welsh Government’s own research suggests that its policies are a number one concern with professional holiday accommodation businesses inadvertently caught up in the drive to control the number of second homes.

 “Current observations suggest that second homes coming back onto the market are not improving the supply of affordable housing for local people. At the same time, genuine local businesses, misdescribed as second homes, are also having to sell up when they aren’t really the policy’s target - again without providing efficient, affordable homes.

 ‘’However, we wanted to test what we were told by our own members by gathering feedback from estate agents about what is happening to the housing market in these parts of Wales; whether Welsh Government policy is achieving its stated aims, and what any collateral damage looks like.”

Tim Thomas, Policy and Campaigns Officer at Propertymark - the professional body for property agents, entirely independent of the Wales Tourism Alliance, said: “The Welsh Government has implemented a series of policies to regulate short-term and holiday lets in Wales. I am confident our members and any other property agents, will provide insightful feedback on the impact the legislation is having on housing, tourism and the overall impact on the Welsh economy.”

Emma Thonton, CEO of Visit Pembrokeshire added: “We’re pleased to help gather this important data for Pembrokeshire.

“We’re hearing from many of our self-catering operators, that current Welsh Government policy to control the number of second homes is significantly impacting their businesses and for some, putting them at risk of becoming unviable.”

Any property agents wishing to take part in the online round table meetings on 7th and 8th of October are invited to contact either the Wales Tourism Alliance at: [email protected] or [email protected]

Spaces are limited.  Written observations are also welcome.