Introduce stronger licensing for high-occupancy visitor accommodation in Wales

Residents should not have to lose sleep weekend after weekend before councils have the power to act. Across North Wales, concerns have been raised about high-occupancy visitor accommodation causing repeated noise and disturbance, including near Old School Manor in Halkyn and Rhos Sea Manor in Rhos on Sea.

These cases highlight a wider gap in the law. Some properties are marketed for large group stays, celebrations and events, with facilities that can make them operate more like private venues than traditional holiday lets. Yet councils are often left relying on reactive planning, noise and anti-social behaviour powers after the harm has already happened.

A stronger licensing regime would provide the ability to set clear conditions in advance, including noise management plans, controls on outdoor entertainment areas, named responsible managers and effective sanctions where serious disturbance is repeated. This would protect residents, support responsible operators and give communities confidence that the system can respond before problems become entrenched.