A Gwynedd Plaid Cymru councillor has defected to a rival party.

In a parting shot, Abererch councillor Peter Read attacked the county’s Joint Local Development Plan as he announced that he was joining the the start-up Welsh National Party (WNP).

Cllr Read, who last year unsuccessfully attempted to become Dwyfor Meirionnydd’s Plaid Cymru Senedd election candidate, becomes the second Gwynedd member to do so after former independent member, Cllr Dylan Bullard (Pwllheli North) last month.

The WNP, whose name is currently in dispute after Plaid Cymru lodged a legal complaint with the Electoral Commission, now has seven councillors across three local authorities as well as one member of the Senedd, party leader Neil McEvoy.

With two members now in Gwynedd, however, this clears the path for the party to become its own grouping on the council.

Following his defection from the Plaid Cymru ruling group, Cllr Read said: “Joining the WNP is a positive decision to shake up politics in Gwynedd and Wales.

“The Welsh National Party will be seeking amendments to Gwynedd’s Local Development Plan at the earliest opportunity.

“Planning needs to be at a human scale, not geared towards big developers. It often seems like it’s easier for a person from outside Wales to build a house here, while young people just can’t get a mortgage.

“And we must stop family homes being converted into yet more holiday homes. Local housing must be there for local people.”

He added, “The WNP Gwynedd Council group is also calling for urgent action to stop the coming influx of visitors this Whitsun holiday, after the relaxation of regulations in England.

“Road restrictions should be put in place and those travelling to second homes should be fined and sent home.

“I’m a strong believer in the WNP’s policy of community sovereignty and communities should decide what happens locally.

“Because what the Coronavirus pandemic has shown us is that we still have a strong, proud community. When it mattered we could rely on each other and it’s brought us closer, but it’s also shown us the cracks. We can’t go back to the way things were before.”

WNP leader Neil McEvoy MS said:  “There is real momentum behind the WNP now. We’ve got councillors and members joining across the country and Cllr Read is the latest addition to our excellent team.

“My wife and in-laws are from Gwynedd. It’s a place that I love but somewhere that has been overlooked and let down for too long.

“We will be putting forward solutions going forward, starting with Gwynedd’s Local Development Plan. We need housing and jobs in Gwynedd that prioritises people who are actually from Gwynedd.

“The WNP is the real Welsh alternative now. The cosy Cardiff Bay consensus is coming to an end as we take power back to the communities in Wales.”

Gwynedd Council has been approached to comment.

Plaid Cymru Gwynedd Group Chair, Cllr Elin Walker Jones said: “Whilst we are disappointed that Cllr Peter Read has made the decision to step down as a Plaid Cymru Gwynedd councillor, we wish him well.

“He has been a valued member of the group, and we will continue to work with him in our respective roles as local councillors, working on behalf of Gwynedd residents and local communities.

“Collaboration across the political spectrum has been a key part of our task, dealing with Covid19 in Gwynedd, during the last few weeks.

“Our efforts will continue in this vein, as we concentrate on keeping the people of Gwynedd safe and healthy. The message remains crystal clear: stay home, save lives and protect the NHS.”