Keswick Town Council has agreed not to take too hard a line on every planning application to switch traditional B&B and guesthouse into holiday lets.
It comes in spite of a meeting last month, where some members of the council came out strongly against the emerging property trend.
B&Bs and guesthouses in residential areas are being snapped-up by buyers who then apply to the national park to turn them into unmanaged self-catering holiday lets, the meeting heard.
The concern has been that the absence of on-site oversight could introduce anti-social problems into residential areas – particularly from large single groups.
But at its latest meeting, the head of Keswick Town Council’s planning group, clarified its position.
Cllr Steve Harwood, the council’s deputy chairman, said if it took too hard a line it amounted to “trapping” B&B and guesthouse owners in properties that they could not sell.
Cllr Harwood explained that the town council did not want to make it “impossible” for B&B or guesthouse owners in Keswick to shift large properties and halt their retirements.
He explained the council could not object carte blanche to every application for a change of use from C1 (guesthouse) to C3 (holiday letting accommodation) as each needed to be considered on its merits.
The council’s previous position in August allowed no flexibility he said, although the council would still raise objections about applications where holiday lets were managed externally rather than on-site.
Cllr Harwood said: “It is noted that previous applications have been approved (by the national park) which restricts holiday lettings of this type to one family or group for a limited period.
“Where this is reliant on off-site management, we are concerned about the social and environmental impact which is difficult to control in a residential area.”
The latest application to spark the debate is for 37 Eskin Street, which has been trading as the Rowan Tree Guest House.
In July, applicant Paul Brannen applied to the national park authority for it to become a self-catering holiday let.
Matt Kelly, of Cockermouth, objects.
Mr Kelly said: “My objection is based on the fact that change of use to a holiday let will further dilute the local community and contribute to further anti-social behaviour and littering.
“Holiday homes put little into the local community. Visitors to B&Bs typically eat out at local restaurants. Holiday home visitors just order food online.
“Also, short-term accommodation where the owner is not present results in numerous anti-social issues involving drunkenness and noise.
“I am moving back to Keswick shortly and do not want to see the community further blighted. There are enough holiday homes already.”
Daniel Magrin, of Southey Street, has also written to the national park authority to say he is buying the neighbouring property, and outlined concerns about the application to change Rowan Tree from a guesthouse into a holiday let.
His concerns are that the neighbouring property he intends to buy has a fire escape and does not want self-catering guests using it as an exit or a smoking area.
Mr Magrin has asked that if the application is approved, then a specific planning condition should be imposed stressing that the fire escape should only be used in an emergency.
Ultimately, the final decision is made by the Lake District National Park Authority which considers the comments of the council.
