Richard and Gillian Jones have been renting out a converted outbuilding near RAF Valley on Anglesey for 14 years without issue, but now face a planning dispute after a passer-by reported them to the council. The couple, who operate the holiday let at Ty Llwyd, Llanfaelog, are applying for retrospective permission after the local authority ruled the business unlawful in August 2025.
Background of the Holiday Let
The outbuilding was originally constructed in 2012 as a studio for Mrs Jones, a professional photographer. The couple began letting it to family and friends before expanding commercially. In July 2023, they handed over operations to a professional holiday letting agency. However, following a complaint from a passer-by, Anglesey Council launched an investigation and deemed the business unlawful.
Consultants representing the Joneses stated: "Had there not been a complaint from a passing individual then no doubt this harmless business would have carried on without concern."
Council Concerns Over Over-Provision
The one-bedroom property was refurbished in 2022. While Anglesey Council approves of its location and high-quality design, it believes continued operation would lead to a significant overprovision of holiday accommodation in the area. As of January 2026, second homes and holiday lets in Llanfaelog account for 37.49% of housing stock—more than double the 15% threshold recommended by the council's Supplementary Planning Guidance (SPG).
The council argues that high concentrations of second homes can undermine communities by inflating house prices and reducing community facilities. Excessive holiday lets also hinder local businesses, the authority stated.
Economic Contribution and Local Support
Planning consultant Berwyn Owen of Berllan Properties countered that the Ty Llwyd holiday let contributes £83,220 annually to the local economy. Located a 15-minute walk from Rhosneigr, it supports local shops, restaurants, and attractions, and helps local people remain in the community, he argued.
Mr Owen said the business has operated since 2012, proving its viability despite the number of similar ventures. He challenged the "arbitrary" 15% threshold, asserting the council failed to provide "robust evidence" of adverse effects. "Any perceived harm needs to be substantiated with data, not merely anecdotal statements about number of empty properties," he stated. "To date, there is not one scintilla of hard and fast evidence that this small scale proposal would harm the sociocultural impact in such a way as described in the SPG."
Planning Committee Decision
The application was recommended for rejection at the Planning and Orders Committee on July 1, 2026. However, councillors requested a site visit to Ty Llwyd before making a final decision. Mr Owen emphasised that the development would not impact local house prices, as it is a conversion of an existing building and does not remove housing stock from the market.
