A VILLAGE left ‘dying’ in winter with empty second properties has been given the green light for a nine-home development for local people.

The application for Torver, near Coniston, went before Lake District National Park Authority planners, who were told the village currently has 86 properties, of which 36 are second homes/holiday lets.

The committee received 39 comments about the plan – 15 of objection and 24 of support – including one saying holiday home-owners did not want their views spoilt by new houses or disturbed by ‘noisy children’.

MORE TOP STORIES: “We welcome our second home owners as part of the community, but they shouldn’t dictate what sort of housing is available,” said resident, Carol Barr, who spoke at the meeting in support of the application.

“No-one, least of all residents of Torver, want to see mass development of the countryside. But this development will not detr-act from the landscape.”

She added: “It will go some way to addressing the imbalance between residents and second home ownership.”

The application was for nine homes – two for affordable rent and four for affordable sale for ‘local’ people – on a strip of land which had been a goods yard for Torver railway station.

The site, off the A5084, is currently used as a builders’ yard, and the application allowed for part of it being retained for employment purposes.

“We’re told that almost 50 per cent of the homes in Torver are second homes,” said Coun Jeremy Rowan-Robinson.

“This would help to create a sustainable community in Torver and help to sustain local services and both are important.”

Coun Colin Barr said: “Vibrant communities to me means opportunities for young families. In general I’m in favour.”

And Coun Hugh Branney said: “Torver is empty, or partly empty, in winter and we need to do something about it.”

However, Coun Rowan-Robinson pointed out: “It’s been difficult to find appropriate employment land in the national park and this does seem to be a reasonable site.”

Councillors voted in favour of the application, which will be delegated to development management for final approval.