An £80,000 study which could influence new legislation controlling holiday lets and Air BnBs has been given the go-ahead by Gwynedd Council.

Officers in Gwynedd, which has more second homes than any other county in Wales, believe the cash-strapped authority is missing out on £2m a year in potential revenue as owners of such properties seek to avoid paying the 50% council tax premium.

The study will also seek to identify the current situation in regards to shorter term holiday lets which, like holiday homes, do not require planning permission to be changed from everyday residential use.

The project, which was approved the cabinet on Tuesday, will research the benefits and drawbacks of such holiday lets and whether current planning laws and enforcement should be tightened.

Cllr Dafydd Meurig told the meeting: “It’s a shame that we have to do this (the study), but as things stand we have no ownership nor control over the industry.

“The Welsh Government doesn’t seem to be listening nor can understand our concerns, so we feel compelled to do this.

“The Government did deal with Houses of Multiple Occupation (HMO’s) and changed legislation as they were becoming an issue in areas such as Cardiff, Swansea and Newport.

“But this seems to be more of an issue in Pembrokeshire, Ceredigion, Gwynedd etc and it feels we are having to do this to provide evidence on a plate for the Government, it’s reached that stage.”

Short-term letting website, Air BnB, currently has 1,603 properties advertised across Arfon, Dwyfor and Meirionnydd, which makes up the bulk of the county’s self-catering offering.

However, the cabinet papers also refer to regulations that have been introduced in other countries to try and control their operation.

According to the report, concerns stemming from the growing number of holiday lets include their impact on the supply of houses available to meet local need and the subsequent knock-on effect on house prices and amenities.

The study will also delve further into their impact on the local community, the Welsh language and existing safety standards within these holiday lets.