Government Urged to Act on Holiday Lets and Second Homes in the Lake District

Pressure is mounting on the Government to take urgent action over the growing number of holidays lets and second homes in the Lake District, amid concerns that local people are being priced out of their own communities.

Campaigners, including the charity Friends of the Lake District, are urging ministers to introduce tighter regulations, including a mandatory national registration system for short-term holiday accommodation and stronger planning controls over property conversions.

They argue that the rapid expansion of holiday lets is reducing the availability of long-term housing, with many homes sitting empty for much of the year or being used purely for tourism. This, they say, is contributing to staffing shortages in key local services and threatening the sustainability of rural villages.

The group is also calling for licensing powers to be given to local authorities, allowing councils to restrict further growth in areas already heavily affected by second homes and short-term rentals.

Campaigners believe that without intervention, the balance between tourism and community life in the Lake District will continue to deteriorate, placing further strain on housing supply and local infrastructure.

The Government has been urged to respond with firm policy changes to ensure local residents are not displaced by rising demand for holiday accommodation in one of the UK’s most visited national parks.

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