A housing development in the Welsh village of Brynteg remains virtually deserted two years after construction finished and marketing began. Parc Delfryn, located near the seaside town of Benllech on Anglesey, comprises 16 turnkey properties that are furnished and move-in ready. However, only two homes have been sold.
Planning Condition Blamed for Slow Sales
The developer, Collette Cartwright, attributes the lack of sales to a planning condition imposed in 2007, which restricts the three-bedroom houses to holiday use only. This restriction did not hinder an earlier 20-property phase completed in 2022, which sold quickly. However, the market has since changed due to Welsh Government policies aimed at curbing holiday and second homes.
Second homes on Anglesey now face a 100% council tax premium unless they qualify as holiday lets rented out for at least 182 days annually. This has dampened demand for holiday properties, leaving the developer with 14 unsold homes.
Developer Seeks Change in Use
Cartwright has applied to Anglesey Council to remove the holiday-only restriction and allow the properties to be sold as residential dwellings. She has offered to accept conditions limiting sales to buyers with ties to the island. The homes are currently priced at £250,000 after several reductions.
Simon James of PLanD, the planning agent, said the applicant has turned away at least 37 families who inquired about purchasing the homes as full-time residences. He noted that the properties would be attractive in the general housing market, given strong demand for family homes.
Marketing Efforts Prove Fruitless
Estate agents Dafydd Hardy and Beresford Adams conducted a marketing campaign over two years but concluded that the market for second or holiday homes in Brynteg is currently nonexistent. Their report questioned whether it is right to leave valuable housing stock idle when it could meet the needs of local families.
The application is under review by planning officials at Anglesey Council.
