Controversial plans to convert a barn into holiday lets in the Lake District have been approved in a bid to provide additional income to a farming business.
The Lake District National Park Authority’s development control committee has approved plans to convert the barn at Lowick Farm in Lowick Green into two holiday lets as well as replace an agricultural building.
The applicant, Mrs Cantile, said the plans were a way of generating additional income following financial loss on the farm.
She said: “Last year the farm made a loss, so we want to invest money and time to sustain the viability, and this includes needing to generate additional income to reinvest.
“The addition of the proposed conversion of the existing barn space into holiday lets would enable us to ensure that the farming activities can continue for the long term.”
A number of local objections to the plans were received from local residents as well as from Lowick Parish Council who highlighted the need for local occupancy housing in the area.
Vice chairman of Lowick Parish Council, councillor Les Ingham, said: “When we did our parish plan, parishers noted to oppose new holiday homes as we desperately need local occupancy dwellings to help our community remain vibrant and resilient.”
Cllr Ingham added the area is ‘incredibly welcoming of new residents’ and called on the committee to not let the community down by allowing this proposal which they said showed ‘a total lack of consideration to local residents’.
The planning statement said the applicant Mrs Cantille recently inherited the farm holding from her grandfather and wishes to return to live and work in the area she was born with her family.
Mrs Cantile added her husband plans on expanding the existing farming business and her family are committed to relocating to the area.
The planning statement added: “Farming is expensive, and subsidies are reducing. The applicants are essentially restarting the farm which will require considerable investment, as well as giving up their own jobs.
“The holiday lets will give an income from the moment they become operational. A condition can be used to tie the long-term ownership of the holiday lets to the farm to secure the long-term benefits.”
Members of the development control committee approved the proposals with conditions on Wednesday December 6 with five votes in favour and one against the application.
