300 holiday home plan on Anglesey ‘not the answer to Brexit and Wylfa economic problems’

A £100m plan that includes building 300 holiday homes on Anglesey isn’t the solution to fix the island’s economic woes caused by Brexit and stalled plans for the Wylfa B nuclear plan, according to language campaigners.

The proposed scheme in Holyhead by Conygar Stenaline will include a marina, hotel and hundreds of holiday homes.

The development received outline planning permission from the county council’s Planning Committee in 2014, and the full application will be considered by the Planning Committee in April this year.

But campaign group Cylch yr Iaith said the development would take the island’s economy in the wrong direction.

Cylch yr Iaith said in their statement, “This scheme seems to be lifting its head now because the Wylfa Newydd Scheme has failed and the Holyhead port is suffering as a result of Brexit.

“This is a perfect example of what Anglesey does not need, and I hope that Anglesey councillors will not be seduced by empty promises of ‘prosperity’ to this part of the island.

“Turning a section of the coast into a centre for affluent outsiders and recreation is not the way forward to solve the island’s economic problems.”

‘Exacerbate’

The plans by Conygar StenaLine Ltd include:

• 326 homes, a mix of apartments and houses.
• Buildings for commercial and leisure use
• Hotel
• A new youth centre
• A public beach area
• A new maritime museum and visitor centre

But Cylch yr Iaith said that the county was already suffering from severe over-tourism, and the Welsh Government is called upon to manage second homes and short-term holiday homes as the situation is critical in many communities with local people unable to afford to buy or rent a home in their own area.

“Hundreds of holiday homes and marinas are not the kind of development that is going to solve the economic problems and crisis of Anglesey’s language,” a spokesperson said.

“The plan would exacerbate our situation by increasing reliance on over-tourism which counteracts the sustainability of communities. This is not the answer for the county’s communities.

“It would be more appropriate to focus on promoting and investing in SMEs and in renewable energy projects and creating green jobs, and creating companion structures and technical support for them.

“The new ‘Come Back’ scheme from Menai Science Park gives the kind of leadership needed by calling on those who grew up on Anglesey but who have left the island and Wales to return to take advantage of new opportunities in the county boosting the economy and strengthening communities and the language.”