Airbnbs may need Planning Consent in key tourist location

A council claims it’s reached an important stage in the process of deciding whether to implement the Article 4 Direction power for short lets.

A report will be submitted to Gwynedd council in Wales this week response to the public engagement period on the introduction of an Article 4 Direction, held during August and September 2023.

The introduction of an Article 4 Direction would essentially enable the Council as Gwynedd Local Planning Authority to insist that property owners obtain planning permission before changing the use of a main home into a general holiday let or Airbnb-style short-term holiday accommodation.

The change would not apply to properties already established as second homes or short-term holiday accommodation before the Article 4 Direction came into force.

A council spokesperson says: "The significant number of houses in Gwynedd being used as second homes and short-term holiday accommodation is having a substantial impact on the ability of people in the county to access homes in their communities. The Council submitted detailed research to Welsh Government highlighting the need for action to have better control of the situation.

"In response, the Government has introduced a series of measures which include amendments to planning legislation allowing Local Planning Authorities such as Cyngor Gwynedd to introduce an Article 4 Direction to control the use of houses such as second homes and holiday accommodation. We are grateful to everyone who provided comments during last year's public engagement.

"All responses have received careful consideration, and the discussion in the Scrutiny Committee will be an opportunity for members to take a look at this work before a report is submitted to the Council's Cabinet for a final decision."

A final decision will be taken in June or July; if the council does proceed the Article 4 Direction would be in effect from September 1 2024, in the Gwynedd Local Planning Authority Area only – not in the nearby and much larger Eryri National Park area. The Park is currently undertaking its own separate consultation on the issue.