‘Cultural aspect’ of Welsh housing crisis has been ‘disregarded’, says Huw Edwards
The “cultural aspect” of the housing crisis has been “disregarded”, according to Huw Edwards.
The BBC broadcaster was responding to the news that a Pembrokeshire village has far more holiday homes than residents, and argued that though many coastal villages in England safe similar challenges, there is a “critical” difference in Wales.
Only two out of the 50 properties in Cwm-yr-Eglwys, have permanent residents, while a third are for sale for more than £1m.
This has led to locals to say they are being priced out of the market.
Norman Thomas, 88, the last Welsh speaker in the village, and has called on the Welsh Government to protect dying communities such as his.
‘Unaffordable’
Huw Edwards said: “Unlike in many coastal villages in England — suffering the same issues of unaffordable housing and ‘dead’ communities — there is a critical cultural aspect in Wales which has been disregarded.”
Norman Thomas told BBC Radio Cymru this morning that the village is completely empty during the winter and there is no longer a pub or shop.
“It’s sad that young Welsh people can’t afford these houses,” he told Dros Frecwast.
“The Government is to blame, and they should do something to stop it, and give the locals a chance – they have no chance now. There is no work in Pembrokeshire for them.
“It’s too late for Cwm-yr-Eglwys, these houses have all been sold to English people. I have nothing against them – they bring work here.
“Every winter there is work going on the houses, and people from the area who do it, and without it local people would suffer.”
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Yes they employed people in India too once upon a time. Then India realised the price and got out.
Cytuno’n llwyr ‘da Huw – dychmygwch beth byddai ymateb ei dad
Soon they will be no Welsh speaking communities left.
Colonialism
Huw Edwards is right to use his high public profile to give issues affecting Wales the oxygen of publicity. The country is now waiting for Mark Drakeford to announce legislation on this crucial matter. And it had better be good.
I fear Drakeford and his minions will continue to show a complete dereliction of duty by pretending to show sympathy over what”s happening in Welsh speaking communities whilst doing little or nothing to actually solve the issue.
The Welsh government has had years to do something about this problem, are they just waiting until there are no longer any Welsh speaking communities?
people can choose who to sell their houses too, sadly money is more important than society and language