A Powys couple say they will have no choice but to demolish a cabin they’ve been using as holiday accommodation in their garden because of a decision to brand it a second home by their local authority.
Responding to the news, Welsh Conservative Shadow Minister for Tourism Tom Giffard MS, said:
“The Labour and Liberal Democrat run Council have well and truly lost the plot with this ridiculous decision to consider a garden cabin a permanent dwelling, it would appear they are just putting up obstacles and bureaucracy for the sake of it, at the cost of a family trying to make a living.
“Many self-catering properties cannot be sold separately: many are unsuited for use as permanent dwellings, and many are away from the areas of employment. So they cannot contribute positively to the housing stock issue. The Labour Government need to cease their attack on the tourism industry, coupled with their toxic tourism tax, Labour are costing people’s livelihoods, and reducing the economic flow in tourist areas.
“Tourism supports 1 in 7 jobs in Wales, for this family to incur a bill of £9,000 is ridiculous. By dissuading the family from operating a tourist accommodation, this massive tax bill has now cost the tourism industry and the local economy."
