THE Lake District National Park Authority (LDNPA) has seen a 'large increase' in the number of breaches of planning control related to unauthorised holiday lets, it has been announced.

The news comes on the back of statistics that show the LDNPA served more than four times as many enforcement notices as any other national park authority in the year ending March 2022. 

Notices were served against unlawful holiday lets, glamping units, caravans, a golf course and more. 

Dr Geoff Davies, chairman of the LDNPA's development control committee, said the authority took 'firm action' to ensure people adhered to planning rules, 'particularly when it comes to housing for locals'. 

READ MORE: Data shows thousands of properties being used for holiday lets in county

"When a planning condition clearly says a property must be someone’s permanent home, there really is no excuse for holiday-letting it," he said.

In the year ending March 2022, the LDNPA served 34 planning enforcement notices – placing it joint 22nd out of all the planning authorities in England. 

Julie Birkett, LDNPA enforcement planning manager, said: "It’s easy for people to check if what they want to do is lawful.

"Unfortunately, we still see unauthorised and unacceptable developments taking place."