A Member of the Senedd has accused a property developer of "erasing the Welsh language".
In a series of tweets, Ynys Môn MS Rhun ap Iorwerth referred to a tweet from property developer Anglesey Homes, in which the company promoted the name change of a property in Llanfaelog near Rhosneigr previously known as "Gwel yr Wyddfa" to "Sandy Retreat".
The Plaid Cymru member told The National the practice of changing names is "an insult".
Gwel yr Wyddfa is a brand new nine-property street built in the village of Llanfaelog, although it's not clear whether the Chester-based Angelsey Homes has changed how they refer to the property that they own on the street, or if there's any intention to change the brand new street name.
Hi @AngleseyHomes. Perhaps you could explain what's happening here. This is a property at 9 Gwel yr Wyddfa, which you've now changed to 9 Sandy Retreat, yes? Is erasing the Welsh language/culture a part of your business plan? https://t.co/5lVArDItPJ
— Rhun ap Iorwerth (@RhunapIorwerth) June 22, 2022
One address in Gwel yr Wyddfa, a four-bed property, was sold by property developers in May 2021 for £390,585 while another, on the same street, sold in August 2021 for £395,000.
In a separate tweet, Rhun ap Iorwerth also pointed out that the company had erroneously referred to Traeth Llanddwyn as 'Newborough Beach'.
Here's another. There's no such place as Newborough Beach, @AngleseyHomes. It is called #Llanddwyn. pic.twitter.com/Q7UxGHABu6
— Rhun ap Iorwerth (@RhunapIorwerth) June 22, 2022
Ap Iorwerth said he and Plaid have worked "for years" to protect names and has sought to set up a scheme to do so with the government.
He said: "If respect was shown towards Cymraeg and our heritage that wouldn't be needed, but this is another example to show why that is essential."
Controversy over the Anglicisation of Welsh landmarks and place names has been ongoing for years.
In 2016, campaigners fought against the renaming of a 14th century farm, Faerdre Fach, as 'Happy Donkey Hill' in Llandysul, Ceredigion.
The farm had been converted into holiday cottages, and its new owner, Kate Clamp, complained that its original name was bad for business, saying: “People can’t spell it, they can’t say it properly, and they definitely can’t remember it.”
Other long-standing rows include the nickname 'Sausage Island' given to Ynys-las off the coast of Ynys Môn, as well as using 'Cable Bay' rather than Porth Trecastell.
The then Plaid Cymru MS, Dai Lloyd, presented a Bill to the Senedd in 2017 seeking to protect historic place names in Wales. It was rejected at the time by Welsh Government.
Both Rhun ap Iorwerth and Angelsey Homes have been approached for comment.
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