A housing estate lies almost empty despite the development being completed and two years of marketing the homes.
The properties lie in the small village of Brynteg – close to the popular seaside town of Benllech.
They are described as “turnkey” properties that are furnished and ready to go. Sign up for the North Wales Live newsletter sent twice daily to your inbox
But of the 16 homes that have been developed at Parc Delfryn, next to Storws Wen golf club, only two have been sold.
The developer blames a planning condition that was imposed back when permission was granted in 2007. This stipulated that the three bedroom houses could only be used as holiday properties.
This rule had not proved a deterrent for sales during an earlier 20 property development that was completed in 2022. That phase one scheme by the same develooer sold out very quickly.
But the climate has changed in recent years amid growing concern about a lack of local housing.
Parc Delfryn, Brynteg, Anglesey
It has seen restrictions placed on holiday homes, with second homes subject to paying a council tax premium (currently 100% on Anglesey) unless they are classed as holiday lets that are rented out for at least 182 days a year.
This has stymied demand for second homes on the island. While the measures have been welcomed by many it has been bad news for the developer of Parc Delfryn.
With only two of the 16 homes sold – the developer wants to go in a different direction.
They want Anglesey council to drop the planning restriction and allow the houses to be sold as residential homes.
A planning agent says the applicant and owner Collette Cartwright has said she would be happy to have conditions imposed restricting sales to those with connections to the island.
They are currently priced at £250,000 after a number of reductions.
Parc Delfryn, Brynteg, Anglesey
Agent Simon James, from PLanD, said: “A Phase 1 scheme, also built out by the applicant, comprised 20 holiday homes under a separate planning permission, and was commenced in February 2020.
“This was completed by Easter 2022, the dwellings were marketed and were sold very quickly, however, this took place prior to the tax changes brought into place by the Welsh Government to deter the growth in holiday and second homes in favour of primary residential uses, and which, in line with their objectives, have dramatically affected the local property market.”
He added: “To date, the applicant, notwithstanding the extensive efforts expended in seeking to sell the dwellings over two years, has only sold two properties.
“This in particular has occurred at a time when there is both clear government policy pressure to discourage the creation of holiday homes, in preference to full residential dwellings, and demonstrably, a good level of demand for family homes, itself increased by declining delivery of family homes and a likely rise in demand as both interest rates fall and recently announced significant economic investment in the area.
Parc Del Fryn, Brynteg
“There are therefore 14, fully completed, modern family homes ready to be occupied, but which, because of the particular occupancy restriction imposed, are unattractive in the market for the consented, restricted use, even though the price has been reduced quite substantially over time.
“At the same time, in the view of the marketing agents, the dwellings would have been very attractive in the general housing market as family dwellings. The applicant has turned away at least 37 families who enquired about the potential purchase of the properties as full time family homes, ie, these were not general searches, but specific enquiries made of the properties.”
Estate agents Dafydd Hardy and Beresford Adams were asked to compile a report on the marketing history of the site.
It concluded: “We have, we believe, demonstrated that a comprehensive, wide-ranging and sustained marketing campaign has been carried out with a very engaged client/owner who has responded to the marketing advice we have given.
“This has yielded very little positive results, and this indicates that the market for 2nd/holiday homes, at the very least in Brynteg, is simply not there at this time.
“The question therefore is, is it right to leave valuable housing stock lying idle when it can be put to a positive and sustainable use, and meet the acknowledged need of local families seeking attractive and long-term family housing.”
Planners at Anglesey council are now considering the application.