Parc Delfryn Housing Development Struggles with Planning Restrictions in Anglesey

A housing development in Brynteg, Anglesey, remains largely unsold due to restrictive planning conditions, sparking a debate about the future of holiday homes in the area.

The picturesque village of Brynteg, near the coastal town of Benllech in Anglesey, is home to a housing development that stands virtually deserted despite being completed and marketed for two years. The Parc Delfryn development, situated next to the Storws Wen golf clubconsists of 16 turnkey properties that come fully furnished and ready for immediate occupancy.

However, only two of these homes have found buyers, leaving the developer in a challenging situation.

The root of this issue lies in a planning condition imposed when the development received approval in 2007. This condition stipulates that the three-bedroom houses can only be used as holiday properties.

While this restriction did not hinder sales during an earlier phase of 20 homes completed in 2026, the landscape has significantly changed in recent years. The Welsh Government has introduced measures to address the shortage of local housing, including a 100% council tax premium on second homes unless they are rented out as holiday lets for at least 182 days a year.

The Impact of Changing Policies on Holiday Home Demand

The new policies have had a profound impact on the demand for second homes in Anglesey. The developer, Collette Cartwrighthas expressed a desire to market the properties as residential dwellings to attract more buyers. The developer’s planning agent, Simon James from PLanDhas indicated that Cartwright is willing to accept conditions limiting sales to individuals with ties to the island. The properties are currently priced at £250,000, following several price reductions.

Simon James explained the stark contrast in sales between the two phases of the development: “A phase one scheme, also built out by the applicant, comprised 20 holiday homes under a separate planning permission, and was commenced in. This was completed by Easter 2026, 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.”

The Struggle to Sell Holiday Homes in Brynteg

Despite extensive marketing efforts over two years, the developer has only sold two properties. This struggle has occurred amidst a clear government policy to discourage holiday homes in favor of full residential dwellings. There is a demonstrable demand for family homes, exacerbated by a decline in the delivery of family homes and a likely rise in demand due to falling interest rates and significant economic investment in the area.

The developer has turned away at least 37 families who expressed interest in purchasing the properties as full-time family homes. The marketing agents, Dafydd Hardy and Beresford Adamscompiled a report on the marketing history of the site. They concluded that a comprehensive marketing campaign had been carried out but yielded very little positive results, indicating that the market for second/holiday homes in Brynteg is currently non-existent.

The report raises a critical question: “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?” The application to remove the planning restriction is currently under review by planning officials at Anglesey Council.