The houses were built for quarrymen and their families in the 1700s (Image: Daily Post Wales)
People living in a historic village nestled in a beautiful valley in the country’s northwest countryside have grown accustomed to a tight-knit, community-centred way of life.
The 14th century hamlet Aberllefenni originally housed slate miners working in one of the oldest quarries in Wales – but modern day occupants say the once-palpable community spirit has been ebbed away by new hiking rent costs by up to 60%.
London-based firm Walsh Investment Properties bought 16 former quarrymen’s houses and cottages last year, increasing the rent on one two-bed home from £330 to £550.
The houses, which are set within acres of Dyfi forestland and sit on the edge of Snowdonia National Park, had previously been owned by Welsh slate supplier Wincilate Limited since the 1950s.
Josh McNeilly, 54, who lives in one of the stone cottages built for quarrymen and their families in the 1700s, said his rent had risen by over £200 – and triggered an exodus of locals, turning the village into “a bit of a ”.
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Josh says the village is “becoming a ghost town” (Image: Daily Post Wales)
“No one was forced out but some people just could not afford the new rent,” he told MailOnline.
“However, it is very sad that so many people have moved out. Everyone knew each other and there was a great community spirit. People moved here just to be close to friends or family, but that’s gone now.”
Sara Lewis, 56, whose rent has been frozen in response to a protest she launched against the sudden hike, added: “The community spirit has been killed off.
“It’s so quiet now – it is a Welsh ghost town in the middle of the mountains.
“It’s devastating that this has happened. I hope it will change but we could all be evicted.”
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Some of the villages driven out by the rent hikes had been living there for over 20 years (Image: Daily Post Wales)
Walsh Investment Properties, which is run by a millionaire Londoner couple Chris and Lisa Walsh, said the low rent paid by tenants to the previous owners was “unsustainable in the current economy”.
Mr McNeilly is also hopeful that planned upgrade works to some of the now-vacant properties will bring people back to the area, or usher in new faces in no time.
“I think the rents were low, so they’re not being greedy,” he said.
“The landlord’s spending money on the houses now so when they’re done up, hopefully people will move back in.”
Remaining residents are still afraid that they could “all be evicted” (Image: Daily Post Wales)
But fellow local Emlyn Jones, 53, has suggested that “half the people” living in Aberllefenni had been chased out by the price rises.
“The spirit of the village has been destroyed,” he said. “The developers must really regret it as the houses are now empty. It’s very sad.”
Rent on the 16 properties under new ownership previously rose by 3% each year and housed locals who had been in the area for over two decades.
Chris Walsh, who reportedly bought the cluster for £1 million with his wife, said: “We feel it is fair and reasonable to charge a market rent.”