A DEGANWY road has been identified as the second most expensive street to live on in Wales.
According to figures from Lloyds TSB, the average house price on Gannock Park is £677,000; second only to Llantrithyd Road in the Glamorgan Vale town of Cowbridge, which has an average price of £798,000.
Also included in the Top 20 list are Honeysuckle Lane in Colwyn Bay at number six with an average price of £550,000, and Deganwy makes a second appearance at number 13 with Deganwy Quay’s house prices averaging at £469,000.
Nitesh Patel, housing economist at Lloyds TSB, said: “Unsurprisingly, the most expensive residential streets in England and Wales are in London, but the Welsh capital makes a good show. The Welsh top twenty also sees strong appearances from Conwy.”
The report has prompted questions over affordable housing in Conwy, and the ability of first time buyers to remain in their community.
Matt Griffith from PricedOut - an independent group campaigning on behalf of those trying to get on the property ladder - said: “Unfortunately many rural villages like Deganwy are increasingly becoming the preserve of the wealthy.
“Prices now bear very little relation to the ability of local people to pay. This is leading many young people to be priced out of parts of the countryside. This is a double whammy for many, as youth unemployment and low wages make affording a house even harder.”
But Cllr Jason Weyman confirmed affordable housing was an issue being addressed in the village.
He said: “This news comes at the same time that the application is being considered by the Planning Committee on yesterday, Wednesday for a development of 17 apartments and four town houses on Pentywyn Rd in Deganwy by the North Wales Housing Association. Such a scheme could house 71 people and would be 100 per cent affordable. This is one of very few sites that have helped tackle the issue of the need for affordable housing in the county of Conwy.
“I am not surprised that Deganwy has appeared on the list. Both Gannock Park and Deganwy Quay are very sought after areas of Conwy and across Wales. It highlights what a diverse and varied area Deganwy is to live.
“It is important that we protect both the prestigious and more affordable areas of Deganwy and ensure we have the facilities to support the community.”