Latest news with #NorthWalesLive
North Wales Live
7 hours ago
- Business
- North Wales Live
Holiday let owners hit by council tax bombshell told 'pay up or sell up'
Across Wales, holiday let owners have been hit with unexpected and steep council tax demands, leaving many fighting to stay afloat. The charges follow new government rules on rental thresholds, with nearly half of self-catering businesses now operating at a loss or just breaking even. North Wales Live readers are divided—some fear this could destroy Welsh tourism, while others say it's a needed change to give locals a fair shot at owning homes. A little-known change in legislation has triggered council tax demands—often amounting to tens of thousands of pounds—without prior notice. In most cases, owners are being given just seven days to pay, under threat of legal action. The charges stem from a rule about the number of nights a property must be let, which critics say has pushed the holiday rental industry to the brink. One family with a rental in Abersoch, Gwynedd, is facing a bill of several thousand pounds despite believing they had met all legal requirements. They were unaware the 182-night letting threshold was applied retrospectively, meaning they fell short during their first year. As a result, they've been back-charged for council tax over three years—making the original 70-night guideline irrelevant for most lets in 2022–23. The impact on owners is already visible. A recent survey by PASC Cymru found that 47% of those now paying higher council tax are operating at a loss. Local councils argue the policy is necessary to curb the rise of second homes and ease pressure on the housing market. But others fear it will come at the cost of Wales' vital tourism economy. 'It's difficult to challenge the legislation,' said Nicky Williamson of PASC Cymru. 'Holiday let owners have few options.' Commenter Idontstop thinks: 'There needs to be a review of the legislation as its introduction has not addressed its main aim and has created further issues. There is a glut of holiday homes now on the market, they remain unaffordable for the majority of local people, fewer holiday homes will impact tourism and therefore the local economies. There are tens of thousands of static caravans and lodges across north Wales, with occupants here 9 months of the year but they do not pay council tax but utilise all the local services. Whilst Welsh families who wish to hold on to family homes in Wales that they have inherited from their parents are forced to pay premium council tax rates or sell to people from outside Wales.' Angleseygirl writes: 'We are having to give ours up. It's a small one bed apartment and sleeps 2. We are, for about 9 months of the year, really busy. We suddenly received a letter from the council saying they want £250 per month council tax. We then received a call from our insurers saying they had new underwriters and they had put our insurance up from £80 per month, to £280. We can't do it, it's an impossibility. There is no way we can pay out £530 per month. We are open all year but we can't force people to book with us. So in a couple of months we are closing for good, it's such a shame, and the knock on effect to local businesses is awful. ' Butterfly1722 agrees: 'Increasing council tax for holiday lets is not helping anyone other than the greedy government and councils. We all know almost every council is on its knees. They are putting the owners of these holiday lets in debt and they will be forced to sell. I understand that local young couples cannot find properties in the area they were brought up in to purchase a property, but first time buyers living in the area cannot afford these prices. It's a no win situation and it sounds like it's causing misery to the holiday let owners.' Steamnut is outraged: 'Whatever your thoughts on second homes and letting, retrospective legislation like this, where the owners cannot change what actually happened, is sneaky and underhand. Imagine the outcry from motorists that, on a certain date, had travelled on a road with a speed limit of 30mph and, when the limits were reduced to 20mph, these motorists were all given backdated speeding tickets? There would be a massive 'unfair' outcry. The same sentiment should apply to the letting industry.' Tumbiloo says: 'Blame it on the 2nd homes that are causing the housing shortage rather than establishing industry for people to work and earn and save, especially in North Wales.' DP reader agrees: 'That's a shame for them, but not as much of a shame as people not being able to find a house to live in. So, will we be able to increase our local housing stock or will they continue to let the properties and cry about the council tax?' Jnrm retorts: 'People can't sell as locals don't want to live in remote cottages. They only appeal as holiday lets!' Daffyddthomas writes: 'Pay up or sell up, but stop complaining.'
North Wales Live
a day ago
- General
- North Wales Live
Live updates as major search operation launched on Menai Strait
A major operation by search and rescue teams has been taking place in the Menai Strait. The HM Coastguard helicopter and RNLI crews have been involved after an alert was raised this morning. The exact nature of the search has not been officially confirmed. This is a breaking news story. We will bring you all the latest as we get it via the live blog below. Get all the big headlines, pictures, analysis, opinion and video on the stories that matter to you. If you have some information you can contact us by following our Twitter feed @northwaleslive - the official North Wales Live account - real news in real time. Or like - your must-see news, features, videos and pictures throughout the day from the North Wales Live. Don't forget you can also keep up to date with the latest via the free North Wales Live app. Download it for Apple devices here and Android devices here.
North Wales Live
a day ago
- Automotive
- North Wales Live
Live A55 updates as crash shuts carriageway in one direction
A crash on the A55 has closed the road in one direction. The incident has happened in the eastbound lanes between Old Colwyn and Llanddulas. Traffic Wales said both lanes are closed. This is a breaking news story. We will bring you all the latest as we get it via the live blog below. Get all the big headlines, pictures, analysis, opinion and video on the stories that matter to you. If you have some information you can contact us by following our Twitter feed @northwaleslive - the official North Wales Live account - real news in real time. Or like - your must-see news, features, videos and pictures throughout the day from the North Wales Live. Don't forget you can also keep up to date with the latest via the free North Wales Live app. Download it for Apple devices here and Android devices here. 11:36Owen Hughes Tailbacks There are now long tailbacks on the A55 Eastbound between Colwyn Bay and Llanddulas. The AA said: "Delays of six minutes and delays increasing on A55 Eastbound between J22 (Old Colwyn) and J23 Llanddulas Interchange. Average speed 15 mph."
Daily Mirror
2 days ago
- Daily Mirror
Brit woman drowned in 'intense waves' on Greek holiday as husband tried to save her
Emma Jane Slack, 54, got into difficulty while swimming in the sea off Corfu in Greece on July 9 during a holiday with her husband who bravely tried to save her A British woman tragically drowned in "intense waves" while on holiday in Greece as her husband desperately tried to save her, an inquest heard. Emma Jane Slack got into difficulty while swimming in the sea off Corfu on July 9. Her husband tried to save her but she sadly passed away, the brief hearing in Ruthin, Denbighshire, Wales, heard. John Gittins, senior coroner for North Wales East and Central, said an inquest was required as her body had been repatriated. The 54-year-old, a training advisor from Mold, Flintshire, was on holiday with her husband Rob in the resort of Roda, on the north coast of the island when the tragedy happened. Mr Slack tried to rescue her but he, too, got into difficulty. The coroner said that official documentation received from the Greek authorities referred to "intense wave activity" and the cause of death was given as "drowning", North Wales Live reported. The inquest was adjourned to a date to be fixed. While Corfu's sea conditions can vary, the Ionian Sea is generally known for calmer waters, especially during the summer. However, rough seas can occur, especially when the Maestral (northwesterly) wind hits, creating moderate to rough conditions, particularly in exposed areas. On Sunday 20, a British tourist was tragically found dead on his sun lounger on another Greek island after reportedly becoming unwell. The 74-year-old was discovered unconscious on Stalis Beach on Crete by other people at the resort at around 12pm. Emergency services rushed to the scene and made a desperate bid to revive the man, but unfortunately, their efforts proved unsuccessful. It is understood that he had first gone for a swim before returning to the sun lounger and there are reports he had a "strong feeling" of sickness shortly before his death. Paramedics from Hellenic National Center of Emergency Care (EKAB) treated the man at the scene and no cause of death has yet been given by the Greek authorities. An autopsy was due to be carried out.
North Wales Live
2 days ago
- General
- North Wales Live
Gwynedd man said a prayer before jumping into 'churning' sea as boat sank
A Gwynedd sailor said a prayer "not to let me die" and then jumped into the churning sea as his yacht was smashed against rocks at a group of islets off Anglesey. Chris Cowlard's boat was hammered by the conditions at the Skerries and crashed into a submerged rock. The 71-year-old former firefighter from Porthmadog had 40 years of sailing under his belt but this didn't stop him running into a crisis off Anglesey, with his life at serious risk. His eight-metre vessel was soon dismasted, forcing Chris to abandon ship in his lifejacket and wait in the waves for rescue. He was saved by his own forward planning as he was able to broadcast his location with an emergency position-indicating radio beacon (EPIRB) – bought less than three weeks before the incident. This alerted the coastguard and around 30 minutes after entering the sea he was plucked from the waves by an RNLI lifeboat crew from Holyhead. Talking about the incident, he said: 'I had double-checked the chart and there was a course down the inside. I checked again and adjusted for the tide. Then there was a thumping great bang. I knew what was happening immediately. I was being lifted by the waves and dropped. Bang! Bang! The mast went down and over the side.' Having installed his VHF antenna on the stern instead of the now collapsed mast, Chris was able to broadcast a radio mayday as soon as he got into trouble at about 4pm on 24 June, alerting Holyhead Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC). Sign up for the North Wales Live newsletter sent twice daily to your inbox Chris added: 'I got a voice at the other end of the radio straightaway, so I had confidence knowing that someone had received the mayday. My training kicked in and I knew what I had to do.' Crucially, Chris could accurately show where he was with his EPIRB, which automatically began signalling his location as soon as it went into the water. With the vessel listing, Chris said: 'A wave washed right through the cockpit and took the EPIRB and liferaft right out. It was obvious I would have to vacate!' He inflated his lifejacket and went into the churning sea, having grabbed his VHF radio from which he was able to hear the rescue efforts. He said: 'I could hear them say they were receiving the EPIRB and it was in a similar position to mine. I just said a quick prayer not to let me die.' Just 30 minutes later – with the cold already setting into his body – Chris was pulled from the sea by the RNLI's inshore lifeboat from Holyhead, directed there by HM Coastguard. He said: 'I didn't even see them come. I felt a bump on my shoulder and then an arm on mine and a voice saying, 'You're alright, mate. We've got you'. A hand came in and I was up and out. 'I was so relieved. The moment I hit the bottom of that lifeboat I knew I was safe.' Chris was transferred to the all-weather sister lifeboat from where he was winched up by the HM Coastguard search and rescue helicopter from Caernarfon. It flew him for transfer to Ysbyty Gwynedd Hospital in Bangor. Three nearby vessels alerted to the incident by a broadcast from Holyhead MRCC had stood by to offer support until Chris was confirmed safe. He was cold and had suffered a bang to the nose but was otherwise unharmed. His EPIRB had been picked up and was returned to him the next day. Even his glasses were still round his neck. 'When I called my wife Pauline she said, 'You have done what?!'' Chris recalled. 'I said to her, 'Is there any chance you could pick me up from the hospital and bring a complete set of clothes?'' Thanking HM Coastguard and the RNLI for the 'textbook' rescue, Chris said: 'I was not getting out of it on my own, that's for sure. Without them, I would have bobbed around until I fell unconscious. Then I would have simply sunk below the surface.' Maritime Operations Officer Paul McGinness was part of the team that coordinated the rescue from Holyhead MRCC. On behalf of Holyhead MRCC, Paul said: 'This rescue shows how even the most experienced sailors can get into a scrape. Being prepared, particularly with a registered EPIRB, makes all the difference to how it can end. We're so glad Chris came home safe. A thank you to the vessels in the area that also assisted.' Chris Cousens, RNLI Water Safety Lead for Wales, the North West and Isle of Man, said: 'This was a real team effort between all the emergency services and Chris is incredibly lucky. Thanks to Chris being able to give precise details of his position via the EPIRB and the fact he was carrying a handheld radio, he was quickly located by the Holyhead volunteer crew and pulled out of the water. 'He was also wearing a lifejacket, which we know increases the chances of survival in man overboard situations.'
