Keswick Town Council recently achieved a significant victory in its efforts to address the growing number of family-run B&Bs converting into unregulated holiday lets. The Lake District National Park Authority rejected a planning application to change the use of Amble House, an eight-bed accommodation located in Leyland, Lancs, nearly 100 miles away from Keswick. This decision marks the first time the LDNPA has turned down such an application on the grounds that the change of use would worsen existing problems and disrupt the harmony of the neighborhood already affected by other unregulated holiday lets.
While the applicant may still appeal the decision, Steve Harwood, Keswick’s mayor, expressed hope that this decision signifies a change in how future applications will be evaluated. The town council believes that the previous strategy employed by the national park planners has caused significant damage, with numerous guest houses converting into holiday lets without any on-site supervision or control.
One of the main challenges faced by park planners has been the lack of concrete evidence to support the refusal of change of use requests based on potential negative impacts. However, Keswick Town Council established a “reporting mechanism” last year, allowing neighbors to submit formal complaints about issues arising from unregulated holiday lets. The council logged these complaints, which were then incorporated into the planning process, leading to the recommendation for refusal based on evidence provided.
Residents living near holiday lets in Eskin Street voiced their concerns about the increasing number of self-catering properties in Keswick. They highlighted the lack of supervision, which has resulted in an unpleasant living environment and frequent disturbances caused by guests. Steve Harwood emphasized that Keswick has lost around 200 guest house bedrooms with on-site management, now replaced by the same number of unregulated holiday let bedrooms that lack control.
This case reinforces the need for written evidence to support claims of anti-social behavior and disturbance. The town council encourages all those affected to report incidents and contribute to the record of concerns. The national park planners acknowledged the significance of this evidence, as it sheds light on the negative impacts of large holiday accommodation units in close proximity to residential areas, underscoring the inadequacy of existing management procedures in mitigating these issues.
Moving forward, Keswick Town Council and the LDNPA aim to adopt a more stringent approach in evaluating applications for converting family-run B&Bs into unregulated holiday lets. The recent decision sets a precedent for considering the impact on local communities and emphasizes the importance of preserving the on-site management of accommodations to maintain a harmonious living environment.
FAQ:
1. What recent victory did Keswick Town Council achieve?
– Keswick Town Council achieved a significant victory in its efforts to address the growing number of family-run B&Bs converting into unregulated holiday lets.
2. What was the planning application that was rejected by the Lake District National Park Authority?
– The planning application to change the use of Amble House, an eight-bed accommodation located in Leyland, Lancs, nearly 100 miles away from Keswick, was rejected.
3. Why was the planning application rejected?
– The Lake District National Park Authority rejected the planning application on the grounds that the change of use would worsen existing problems and disrupt the harmony of the neighborhood already affected by other unregulated holiday lets.
4. How did Keswick’s mayor interpret this decision?
– Steve Harwood, Keswick’s mayor, expressed hope that this decision signifies a change in how future applications will be evaluated.
5. What has been the main challenge faced by park planners?
– The main challenge faced by park planners has been the lack of concrete evidence to support the refusal of change of use requests based on potential negative impacts.
6. How did Keswick Town Council address this challenge?
– Keswick Town Council established a “reporting mechanism” allowing neighbors to submit formal complaints about issues arising from unregulated holiday lets. These complaints were then incorporated into the planning process, leading to the recommendation for refusal based on evidence provided.
7. What were the concerns raised by residents living near holiday lets in Eskin Street?
– Residents voiced concerns about the increasing number of self-catering properties in Keswick and highlighted the lack of supervision, resulting in an unpleasant living environment and frequent disturbances caused by guests.
8. What does the town council encourage those affected to do?
– The town council encourages all those affected to report incidents and contribute to the record of concerns.
9. What is the ultimate goal of Keswick Town Council and the LDNPA?
– The goal is to adopt a more stringent approach in evaluating applications for converting family-run B&Bs into unregulated holiday lets, considering the impact on local communities and preserving the on-site management of accommodations to maintain a harmonious living environment.
Definitions:
1. B&B: Abbreviation for bed and breakfast, which refers to traditional lodging accommodations where guests are provided with a room to sleep in and breakfast in the morning.
2. Unregulated holiday lets: Accommodation properties, often rented out to vacationers, that do not adhere to specific regulations or oversight.
3. Planning application: A formal request made to a local planning authority for permission to carry out development or change the use of a property.
4. National park planners: Officials responsible for planning and management within a national park.
Suggested related links:
– Keswick.org
– Lake District National Park Authority