Campaigners will start a campaign for a Property Bill to tackle the impact of the existing housing stock on the Welsh language following the final vote in the Assembly agreeing new planning legislation today. 

During the discussions on the Bill, the Planning Minister supported an amendment which will make the Welsh language a statutory material consideration within the planning system, giving statutory power allowing councillors to permit or refuse developments on the basis of their impact on the Welsh language. The system will also have to promote sustainable development and include consideration of the language when authorities draw up long-term development plans.

Tamsin Davies, Chair of Cymdeithas yr Iaith Gymraeg’s sustainable communities group commented: "We are very pleased the Welsh language is a statutory material consideration in the planning system, but it is disappointing that the Government hasn’t agreed to all the cross-party calls for changes. Looking forward, if the Welsh language is to thrive then the use of the existing housing stock needs tackling as well. We need a system which put local needs first, rather than profit. It’s really important that there is a right to rent and measures to give the first chance to buy houses. House and rental costs are some of the factors which drives outward migration, which is so damaging to the Welsh language. That’s why we will running a campaign for a Property Bill over the months ahead. 

“We hope that all the parties in the Assembly will act on our calls for further legislation and regulations in the next months and years.”