A local occupancy restriction placed on a three-bedroom bungalow in Cowling has been lifted after councillors agreed the nature of the village had changed.

The Section 106 obligation was originally put on Stoney Croft in Fold Lane 20 years ago.

The builders and owners of the house agreed to the condition, which meant it always had to be occupied by someone from the area with a housing need.

But when owner David Collier tried to sell up, he found the property impossible to sell.

Craven District Council’s planning committee heard officers regularly received queries about local occupancy conditions, but this was the first time they had received an application for one to be lifted.

Coun Ady Green (Con, Cowling) said he was normally against the lifting of restrictions, but in this case thought there was a valid reason.

“In Cowling, we now have one shop, one hairdressers and one business. It is a condition that no longer applies and should be lifted,” he said.