Gwynedd councillors will be asked to back calls for it to be compulsory for planning permission to be in place before a house can be turned into a holiday home.

A motion put forward by Nefyn councillor, Gruff Williams will also seek support for measures that would see no more than 5 per cent of a community’s housing stock allowed to be designated as second homes.

The Welsh Government says it’s looking at the implications of more stringent rules, studying the results of such action where stricter guidelines are already in place.

Concerns over holiday homes in St Ives, Cornwall led to a referendum and the establishment of a Neighbourhood Development Plan, meaning new open-market homes have to be for permanent residents with proof provided.

In Northumberland the local authority has proposed the sale of property to outsiders is banned in areas where second and holiday homes are popular, through Section 106 agreements.

Figures released by Nefyn Town Council show 30 per cent of houses in Edern and 15 per cent in Morfa Nefyn are second homes, with claims prices have gone “through the roof” since lockdown, despite the average local wage being £16,000.

The issue was also discussed in the Senedd, with Plaid Cymru launching a 16-page report containing a number of recommendations – many mirroring Cllr Williams’ calls.

But the Senedd voted down Plaid Cymru’s motion in favour of a Labour amendment which “recognised the challenges” of second homes on the affordability and availability of housing in some communities while calling on ministers to undertake an “evidenced, thorough review” while balancing the needs of individuals, communities and the visitor economy.

Such a review should include the role of taxation, planning, local regulation and the supply and access to affordable housing of all tenures.

During the debate, Delyth Jewell MS, described the “unsustainable” situation in North West Wales as “spiralling out of control”.

Arfon MS Sian Gwenllian said Covid “has raised social tensions to the fore”, calling for emergency legislation to be implemented now rather than wait until after May’s election to act.

WNP member Neil McEvoy was critical of Gwynedd and Anglesey’s Joint Local Developent Plan, but went on to describe the second home issue an an “epidemic”, which has “gone on for decades while decimating the language”, pointing out that the proposed closure of Ysgol Abersoch was a “direct consequence” of second homes in the village.

Welsh Language Minister Eluned Morgan said it was a “really complex issue” but the Government was determined to make it possible for people brought up in an area to be able to stay there.

A full meeting of Gwynedd Council will discuss Cllr Gruff Williams’ motion this Thursday, 1 October.