A housing estate in the small village of Brynteg, Anglesey, near the popular seaside resort of Benllech, sits almost empty despite being completed and on the market for two years. The development, Parc Delfryn, adjacent to Storws Wen golf club, features 16 "turnkey" properties that are furnished and ready to move into. However, only two have been sold.
Planning Condition Blamed for Slow Sales
The developer attributes the lack of sales to a planning condition attached when permission was granted in 2007, which restricts the three-bedroom houses to holiday use only. This limitation did not affect an earlier 20-property development by the same builder, which sold out quickly after completion in 2022.
Changing Market Conditions
Recent years have seen growing concerns about inadequate local housing, leading to stricter holiday home regulations. On Anglesey, second homes face a 100% council tax premium unless they are rented out for at least 182 days annually as holiday lets. This has reduced demand for holiday properties, damaging the developer's sales.
The developer now urges Anglesey Council to lift the restriction and allow sales as residential dwellings. Owner Collette Cartwright is prepared to accept conditions limiting sales to people with connections to the island. The properties are currently listed at £250,000 after multiple price cuts.
Agent's Perspective
Planning agent Simon James from PLanD noted that the first phase sold quickly before Welsh Government tax changes aimed at deterring holiday and second homes. He stated, "To date, the applicant, despite extensive efforts over two years, has only sold two properties. This occurred when government policy discourages holiday homes, and there is strong demand for family homes."
He added that 14 completed family homes remain idle, unattractive due to the occupancy restriction despite substantial price reductions. The marketing agents believe the homes would be popular as family dwellings, and the applicant has turned away at least 37 families who enquired about purchasing as full-time homes.
Marketing Report Findings
Estate agents Dafydd Hardy and Beresford Adams prepared a report on the site's marketing history, concluding that a comprehensive campaign yielded very little positive results, indicating the market for second or holiday homes in Brynteg is currently absent. The report questioned whether it is right to leave valuable housing stock idle when it could meet local families' needs.
The proposal is now being assessed by planning officers at Anglesey Council.
