Protestors demand for more control in housing market

Hundreds of people have taken part in a rally calling for more control over the housing market in Wales.

About 400 people attended the march in Nefyn, Llŷn Peninsula, Gwynedd, organised by Welsh language campaign group Cymdeithas yr Iaith, in Nefyn, Llŷn Peninsula, Gwynedd.

The group said it was an opportunity to launch a new campaign that calls for local houses for local people.

The Welsh government said the “principle that everyone has a right to an adequate home is one we wholeheartedly support”.

Protesters called for the “empowerment of local communities” to organise their housing developments according to the needs of the people in the area.

According to research by Cyngor Gwynedd, 65% of people in the county have been priced out of the market, with the authority already imposing a premium tax of 150% on second homes.

Wallis George, who formerly worked in housing associations in north Wales, said the group are calling for legislation which “transforms the housing system”.

“We want housing to be treated as a basic right, that the planning system is based on the system of local needs,” he said.

“We want local communities to feel empowered to have far more influence of what’s going on in their communities and that local people have priority whether they are looking to buy or rent.”

Iwan Rhys Evans, 23, is a member of the Nefyn Town Council and he said finding a house to buy is “impossible”.

“The average house here is like £400,000 and there’s a house just near where my mother lives which is that’s going for £1.2m.

“It’s ridiculous when you think about it, there’s not a chance someone my age can afford that.

“It’s a very dire situation where communities and families who have lived here for generations are now being pushed out.”

In a statement the Welsh government said one of its key ambitions is “ensuring everyone in Wales has a decent, affordable and safe place to call home”.