Caravan Bill

Dear friend,

I would like you to consider my response to the above Bill.

I am concerned about

• the effect of year-round holiday caravan occupation on:
• • local services
  • fragile rural communities and their economies
  • the Welsh language
  • local people's ability to afford homes because of pressures from immigration
  • the local government's ability to monitor misuse and take action, following cutbacks
  • the rights of [occupants] to live in an area and the rights of taxpayers to receive health services etc.
  • homelessness [enforcing a right] to housing.
• The effect of holiday caravans on housing for local people who want affordable homes in rural areas where there is no affordable housing or suitable housing stock available:
• • local residents and individuals must be given the opportunity to live in caravans throughout the year where there is no access to affordable local housing stock
  • the Welsh Government and local councils should earmark caravan sites for local people unable to access housing due to lack of stock, affordability and the location of suitable housing in areas where affordable homes cannot be built and empty homes cannot be used for that purpose.
• The Bill should consider rural and Welsh language testing as a starting point to ensure that laws can be made in this area. Without carrying out this exercise there will be no means of ensuring a future for sustainable rural communities where the Welsh language can thrive.

Thank you for your attention.

Regards,

Arfon Hughes

Gwynedd Rural Housing Enabler

Tŷ Abermawddach

4 High Street

Blaenau Ffestiniog

LL41 3AD

01766 831083