A planning application to remove a local occupancy condition on a converted barn at North Row, Bassenthwaite, or open the clause up to a wider area has been turned down by the Lake District National Park Authority.
The applicant had also sought to allow the employment restriction on the property to include anyone currently working or going to work in the area and to remove the nine-month time restriction.
The employment element of the condition currently allows occupation of an individual who has been in continuous employment in the locality for at least the last nine months and for a minimum of 16 hours per week. The variation sought to remove the nine-month time period and to allow someone who is about to take up employment to be eligible.
Bassenthwaite Parish Council had objected to the proposal on the grounds that the building was bought with a local occupancy clause on it, and stated this should remain in place for the protection of the property as part of the local housing stock.
Planners heard that the only supporting information provided had come in a letter from the estate agent. It outlined that the property has been on the market since June 2023, originally with a guide price of £850,000, since reduced to £795,000. In total seven viewings have been held but no offers have been received.
The planning officer concluded that alterations to the occupancy clause proposed would result in a dwelling that would fail to contribute towards meeting an identified local need or local affordable need.
