'Locals-only' housing ruling due

Many locals cannot afford homes on the Yorkshire Dales

A plan to stop wealthy outsiders buying up homes in the Yorkshire Dales is expected to win official backing.

The scheme would mean nearly all new homes built in the region are sold only to local people and key workers.

Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority will discuss the idea, which is backed by a government planning inspector and has local support, on Wednesday.

The idea is aimed at tackling the lack of affordable rural housing, with other areas watching the outcome closely.

It has been reported that the authorities in the Lake District and North York Moors are considering similar schemes.

The idea has also been brought to the attention of the Scottish Executive.

Better jobs

Under the proposals, outsiders would not be allowed to buy new, cheaper homes built specifically for existing residents.

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People living in the area have struggled to compete with second home buyers, in an area where demand far outstrips supply.

The restricted-occupancy idea is part of the Yorkshire Dales Local Plan and was backed by government inspector William Carlow.

He said smaller, cheaper homes for local people should be built within easy distance of local amenities.

Mr Carlow's report also supported the authority's plans to create better-paid local jobs and the homes necessary to house workers.

Existing stock

If the plan - which is also expected to cover barn conversions and would apply when the homes are sold on - is accepted, outsiders would still be able to choose from the existing housing stock and developments already approved.

Builders would also be allowed to create property for the open market in four main Dales centres of Grassington, Reeth, Sedbergh and Hawes.

But they would only be able to develop one open-market home for every 'locals-only' property they make.

There are about 10,000 homes in the park and most have no occupancy restriction.

In 2002, the average house price in the Dales was £178,000 which was double the national average at the time.