Sir,

As someone who has been lucky enough to live here my whole life, I would like to respond to the recent letters supporting second homes in the area.

Firstly to suggest that Tenby would not survive without second homes is ludicrous.

Before the rise in second homes, people would come to towns like Tenby to stay in the local B&Bs, guest houses and hotels, a lot of which were, and still are, family run. Spending all their holiday money in the area, these businesses which add character to the town are now on the decline.

How exactly are the second home owners bringing money into the town? It was said that ‘they eat out etc.’ In my observation, a lot of them have a big shop delivered from a supermarket out of town to see them through their stay. Just how is that helpful to helping Tenby’s economy?

So where exactly are they spending all this money that keeps Tenby going? They don’t. Locals do.

The local population keeps Tenby alive throughout the deep dark winters, just as they always have for generations.

To suggest that second home owners ‘do not make demands on local services’ is again just ludicrous.

Do they kindly wait until they return home to become ill or injured? Trying to get a doctor’s appointment during the summer months would suggest otherwise.

Another point that was made was about local people buying properties, and I quote, ‘they would not spend as much as they will have a mortgage to pay etc.’

This is both upsetting and insulting.

Locals should not be discouraged from buying in the area where they work, boost the economy, the community and have probably lived since they were born. This sends an awful message to the younger generation.

Lastly, the second home owners who have decided to retire to the area, after not working here or putting anything into the local services, will they eventually just become a burden on our local NHS services?

So, I ask, just how are second home owners benefiting our town?

Mrs. R. Nelson,

Tenby.