A Lake District parish council has revealed it has agreed a vote of no confidence in the national park authority.
Lakes Parish Council said there were deep-seated frustrations within it about the Lake District National Park Authority’s management and decision-making.
In a statement, the council said its concerns spanned a wide range of issues, from the authority neglecting maintenance responsibilities and failing to enforce planning conditions to promoting unsustainable commercialisation.
It accused the authority of ignoring fundamental conservation principles.
It said: “Lakes Parish Council urges the authority and development control committee to adhere more strictly to existing policies and prioritise conservation efforts to protect the Lake District’s unique character and ensure the well-being of its residents.”
It added: “The aim of the vote of no confidence is rooted in our frustration with the ongoing inaction and repetitive disregard for the policies we have established.
“Despite our efforts to engage and communicate our concerns, the LDNPA has consistently failed to address the issues we have raised. As a result, we feel that this vote is the only remaining option to express our dissatisfaction and to hopefully act as a catalyst for the necessary changes.”
The council claimed that authority members lacked adequate training and knowledge about local policies, which, in the case of the development control committee, led to poorly informed decisions.
It raised the issue that members of the development control committee were not transparently elected and claimed only 55% of them lived within the national park.
It also raised the Friends of the Lake District bid to challenge the authority’s decision to give the go-ahead to plans for a heritage tourism attraction at Elterwater Quarry.
Its other concerns were:
Neglect of maintenance and increased tourism pressure
It said: “The LDNPA has faced criticism for inadequately maintaining access gates and footpaths, essential for local farmers and residents.
“This neglect is particularly concerning as the authority encourages increased tourism, exacerbating wear and tear on these pathways.”
Planning permission and development
It said: “The LDNPA has granted planning permissions for agricultural buildings against local wishes and without seeking alternative solutions.
“This approach has led to developments that do not always adhere to stipulated conditions, fostering mistrust and frustration within the community.”
It added that it was concerned that the authority allowed developments of properties that exceed what local families can afford. It added: “It potentially
displaces residents and alters the community’s demographic balance.
“This trend threatens the social fabric and sustainability of the local population.”
Commercialisation
The council said plans to make the Lake District the UK’s adventure capital raised fears about turning the area into a theme park and claimed the authority had overlooked repeatedly the Sandford Principle, which prioritises conservation over development.
It added: “This has led to unsuitable developments and a shift towards commercialisation at the expense of conservation.”
Lack of visibility and enforcement
It said there was a perceived lack of visibility and weak enforcement in planning matters, which undermine public trust.
Local occupancy conditions and housing policies
It said the local occupancy conditions on new builds were too broad and there were concerns around affordability of homes in the Lake District for local people.
It added: “The upcoming development of new homes in Ambleside is expected to push property prices beyond the reach of local residents, due to inadequate local occupancy policies. This issue underscores the need for more stringent and targeted housing policies.”
However, affordable housing guidelines are set by the Government under the National Planning Policy Network – and not local planning authorities like the national park authority.
It combines an analysis of local incomes and house prices.
In theory, it aims to help people stay in their local area who could otherwise not afford to buy or rent on the open market.
It is aimed at people who meet a specific criteria and house and rent costs are based on local incomes and local house prices in the area.
Renters on lower incomes should be able to secure homes at rates below market value and for buyers, houses should be sold at a discount of at least 20 per cent below local market value.
But Lakes Parish Council said: “The LDNPA’s current policies have exacerbated the housing crisis in our area. They permit too many new homes or changes in use to second homes or holiday homes, driving up costs and reducing the local housing stock. This issue has worsened since the COVID-19 pandemic, making it nearly impossible for young people to enter the housing market.
“Additionally, some local occupancy homes with ‘local’ restrictions are not adequately enforced by the LDNPA. The approval of new homes without local occupancy clauses further fails to address the need for affordable housing for residents. These practices significantly limit opportunities for locals to secure homes in the area.”
Car parks
The council also said there was no effective plans to accommodate the increase in visitors to the Lake District, with refusals for new car parks and limited
public transportation options.
It added: “This oversight has led to increased congestion and a diminished visitor experience. It is LDNPA policy to not allow new car parks, which we find contradictory given their promotion of the Lake District as a destination to be enjoyed by all.
“While they encourage visitors, they do not provide adequate facilities or improved logistics to accommodate the influx of people. This lack of infrastructure results in anti-social parking, negatively impacting residents.
“Visitors cannot be blamed for wanting to experience the beauty of the Lake District, but they need proper facilities, including sufficient parking options, to ensure that their presence does not inconvenience local communities.
Lake District National Park Authority response
Richard Leafe, chief executive of the Lake District National Park Authority, said: “We are disappointed the parish council has undertaken this process.
“We will consider their comments and respond directly.”
