Second and holiday home ban for new properties

New houses built in the Yorkshire Dales National Park will not be allowed to be used as holiday lets or second homes

New houses built in the Yorkshire Dales National Park will not be available for use as second homes or holiday lets under proposed new rules.

The area's local plan, which will be the subject of a public consultation next year, will guide planning policies in the park for the next 15 years.

It identifies 23 sites for new housing but homes would only be able to be occupied by permanent residents.

Members of the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority (YDNPA) will consider the draft policy next week.

The proposed sites for housing include Airton, Bolton Abbey, Carperby, Grassington, Hawes, Horton-in-Ribblesdale, Long Preston, Nateby, Newbiggin-on-Lune, Orton and Sedbergh.

They are large enough to accommodate at least five or more homes, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

It is believed they would deliver 369 new homes towards meeting a target of 750 over the lifetime of the plan.

They have been chosen following consultation with the public.

Sites selected for new housing include the village of Airton

Richard Foster, YDNPA member champion for sustainable development, said he was grateful for everyone who engaged with the development of the new policies.

He said there were 52 new policies to consider within the local plan.

"These policies seek to support farm businesses, and cover housing, the rural economy, traditional buildings, landscape and wildlife, amongst other things."

The introduction of a principal occupancy condition on all new homes is included within the draft document.

It is designed to ensure all new housing is permanently occupied rather than used as second homes or holiday lets.

Officials say the local plan will also support the development of the rural economy and give greater prominence to climate change and nature recovery.

It is expected that a draft local plan will be released for further public consultation in early 2025 and following that would be submitted to the Planning Inspectorate for approval.

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