A WOMAN who became a second home owner when she bought a Llandudno property in 2009 is asking Conwy County Borough Council to think again about its plans to increase the council tax premium to 200 per cent.

Sandra King said she has spent more than £25,000 on “modernising” the property, and has visited the county every year for the last three decades.

But a council tax premium rise to 200 per cent, she said, would mak it “unaffordable” for most second home owners to retain their properties.

She also urged business owners and tradesmen in the county to take part in the council’s public consultation survey, open until August 18.

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“Over the past 30 years, I have supported the Conwy economy and supported local employment,” Sandra said.

“For 16 years, I was staying in a local hotel, and then purchased and upgraded an unmodernised property in 2009, employing a wide variety of tradesmen.

“Some council members appear to see second home owners as wealthy ‘cash cows’. This is not the case.

“Most, like me, take out a mortgage and use lifetime savings for their purchase.

“And whilst their income may be more than those on a lower wage often found in tourism and service sector, they do not have a bottomless pit of funds or want to be taken advantage of.”

Sandra made her own investigations in July with estate agents in the area – all of whom, she said, reported a downturn in demand, couple with an increase in second-home owners looking to sell due to the planned rises in council tax premiums.

Essentially, she believes any benefit from the increase in council tax premiums will be short-lived.

She added: “People are being forced out as their property is unaffordable to retain due to council tax premiums.

“Moreover, they will not stay or support an area where they do not feel welcome, and I would urge the council to reflect on its plans before it’s too late.

“People in the Conwy area often think second home owners account for more than they actually do.

“Just 2.4 per cent of total Conwy dwellings are second homes, and whilst this can vary by area within the county, second home owners should not be the scapegoat for the lack of social housing and new build housing that people want to buy, and that is affordable.”

To take part in the public consultation survey, visit: www.conwy.gov.uk/Consultation-Council-Tax-Premiums.

In response to Sandra’s comments, a council spokesperson said: “We’re inviting responses to the consultation on the level of council tax premiums to be levied on second homes and long-term empty properties for 2025-26. 

“The consultation closes on August 18 and is available on the council’s website.

“Once we’ve collated the results, the matter will be considered by the council’s Affordable Housing Working Group, who will recommend a level for both premiums. 

“The recommendation will be discussed and scrutinised further by the council’s finance and resources scrutiny committee and cabinet in the autumn, before a final decision is made by council.”