Over 800 new homes required in Snowdonia

A new planning blueprint has highlighted the need for up to 830 new homes to be built in Snowdonia, North Wales, with at least half needing to be affordable homes.

But according to rules set out as part of the Eryri Local Development Plan (LDP), which have been adopted by Snowdonia National Park Authority, the affordable homes should only be available to local people, preventing them from selling the properties on as retirement or holiday homes.

The report compiled by Snowdonia National Park Authority has vowed to allow up to 830 new homes to be built locally up until 2022.

The 50% affordable housing level is much higher than the national average, but was deemed necessary in order to create more low-cost housing for locals wishing to stay in the area.

The LDP stated: "Housing pressures are particularly intense within Snowdonia due to the attractiveness of the area and the quality of life and landscape offered.

"Local incomes are generally low and the gap between house prices and what people can afford has widened considerably over recent years."