So what's the answer?

A lot of things need to change, but there are some CLEAR, SIMPLE improvements that we could get started with RIGHT NOW.

Greedy land developers

One of the worst problems is that greedy developers build new houses in order to make profit. Sometimes, oh so kindly, they offer 10%, or even 20%, of them as 'affordable housing'.

These 'affordable' houses are supposed to give the chance to a few grateful local people to live in the middle of the all the McMansions that have been bought by wealthy incomers.

But why should we build new houses for rich strangers?

Just MAYBE they could compete in the existing market - just MAYBE they could afford to buy a house that's already been built! Why on earth do WE have to build homes WE can't afford for THEM?

The ONLY people who profit are the greedy developers who are desperate to build and sell as many new houses as possible.

Why doesn't our Council stand up for us?

Building new houses for wealthy incomers does damage to local people.

It stops young people from being able to stay in their own communities.

It is destroying our communities.

Manipulative, greedy over-developers profit, and local people lose out.

This MUST be stopped.

Cymuned is a housing and communities pressure group which also supports the Welsh language.

We are calling on your Council to change their planning policies so that every new house is for local people only - no new build except for LOCAL NEED. Building new houses can only be justified where there is a real local need for them.

It's time to ditch complicated, confusing rules which let greedy companies sell new houses to wealthy incomers but which stop local families from building homes for their children on their own land.

It's time to call a halt to ridiculous prices that no-one local can afford.

It's time to stop other people profiting from our misfortunes.