A language campaigner has cycled through the heart of Wales to call for action on the issue of second homes.

Setting off from Caernarfon early on Thursday, Osian Jones decided to cycle the 180 miles to the capital ahead of a rally on the steps of the Senedd – stopping off at several towns and villages along the way.

The first leg of his journey saw Osian stop off in several areas already under pressure from the housing issues, including Porthmadog, Dolgellau and Machynlleth, while also planning to travel through Aberystwyth and Lampeter on Friday before Saturday’s final leg via Merthyr Tydfil.

On Thursday it was also confirmed that the Senedd’s Local Government and Housing Committee was launching an inquiry into the issue of second homes in Wales.

Osian said: “We’ve held a rally in Capel Celyn, a village that was lost decades ago, and another rally in Newport in Pembrokeshire, an area threatened by second and holiday homes for years.”

The ride culminated on the steps of the Senedd in Cardiff where a protest was held and a letter signed by hundreds of town and community councillors was handed to the First Minister, Mark Drakeford, calling for immediate action.

Concerns over the popularity of second homes are nothing new, with mounting pressure on many Welsh speaking communities having already prompted ministers to promise a “three pronged approach” to tackling the housing free for all.

But acknowledging that the Welsh Government is looking at the issue, the letter urges decision makers to take immediate action.

“These are some of the only communities in the world where Welsh is spoken and used as a community language, and that makes the future of these communities even more important,” it goes on to state.

“As you know (and we thank you for acknowledging that a problem exists), the future of these communities is under real threat due to the numbers of second homes and holiday homes.

“We sincerely hope that you, as our First Minister, and as someone who has fought all your life against social injustice, agree that this kind of situation is completely unacceptable.

“For nearly half a century, there has been a demand for action to manage the housing market and empower local communities to secure homes and a future for their people.

“For a decade our Senedd has had the power to legislate.

“We ask that you finally use that power to secure justice for our communities – rather than confining yourself to minor reforms of an essentially unjust regime.”

The Welsh Government says it recognises the challenges facing some communities, noting it is building 20,000 new homes and that Wales is the only UK nation which allows councils to charge up to a 100 per cent premium on the council tax of second home owners.

The ‘Nid yw Cymru ar Werth’ rally, organised by Cymdeithas yr Iaith, was held on the steps of the Senedd in Cardiff Bay on Saturday afternoon.