CARDIGAN town councillors are backing plans for local authorities to gain more control over holiday lets and second homes in a bid to manage their impact.

What is known as an "Article 4" would change planning rules by making it necessary to submit an application for planning permission to change from one use to another.

Responding to an approach by Jeff Smith, chair of Cymdeithas Yr Iaith Gymraeg, the town council have provisionally backed the idea on being told that research into the impact of second homes was "ongoing".

Members were told that 5.28 per cent of houses across Ceredigion were second homes which had driven up prices beyond the reach of most local people. The county also had the highest level of emigration in Wales.

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“It’s a double-edged sword,” said Councillor Nick Bolton. “On the one hand we know that second homes decimate communities – St Dogmaels is becoming more like Newport – but how exactly do you stop them?

“If someone had £500,000 how can they be prevented from buying a second home?

“Most of these kind of houses are three, four or five-roomed properties, far beyond the reach of most local people.”

Councillor Philippa Noble said while she also supported the idea in principle, the idea was not "black and white".

“Yes, we need to look after our town, but we do rely very heavily on tourism,” she said. “At the same time we have to find a way to help local people.”