Sir,

I was deeply saddened by the comments attributed to Clr. Williams in the article published in your paper (edition February 26) regarding a penalty being applied to the council tax of second home owners.

My family and I have owned a ‘second home’ in Tenby for many years and feel ourselves to be part of the community. Unlike some other counties in Wales, Pembrokeshire already charge second home owners the full council tax. We have paid this willingly, accepting this as a price to be paid if we are to be part of the community, even though we make little or no demands on the services provided by the local authority such as schools, libraries, social care etc. We don’t even use the refuse collection service or have a post box to receive mail. We spend an enormous amount of time in Tenby throughout the year and always make a point of supporting local business.

In the circumstances, I fail to see how people like ourselves, being a Welsh speaking family from South Wales, can be held responsible for doing damage to local business and the cultural life of the area?

The Welsh Government Association stated that this new legislation was to ensure that second home owners make a fair contribution to the county, and not merely a device to raise extra funds. Presently, second home owners in Pembrokeshire are already paying for services they do not use and thereby contributing more than they are taking out.

How can further increasing that contribution be considered fair?

It also needs to be remembered that many of the second homes in Tenby town centre are converted flats/maisonettes situated above commercial premises, often with difficult routes of access etc. These are exactly the type of properties that remain empty on a long term basis in other town centres throughout Wales and the wider UK leaving main streets to appear deserted.

Fortunately, Tenby has avoided this scenario as the properties are ideal as second homes. Drive people out of these properties, however, and it will inevitably do great damage to the town centre and its economy.

If there is an affordable home problem in the area then the county must deal with this in a constructive manner. Make land available for development, and yes, place conditions and covenants on planning applications to give priority to first time purchasers.

In addition, the imminent change in Stamp Duty rates for second homes is in any event widely expected to reduce the future purchase of second homes.

To proceed with the present proposal would create a grossly unfair outcome for existing owners who have already made a great commitment to the area on a long term basis, and at the same time have a serious and adverse effect upon the town and its economy.

Tenby and the county of Pembrokeshire is there to be enjoyed by everyone and fairness must prevail!

P. Martin,

Tenby.