Outcome 1: Vibrant communities and prosperous economy following COVID-19

What are we trying to achieve?

1. We will increase the number of permanent residents and the share of the resident population that is of working age.
2. We will support the Lake District’s economic recovery from Covid-19.
3. We will increase private financing in natural capital and green growth to create more jobs and enhance the natural environment.
4. We will increase digital infrastructure coverage to grow a resilient, more diverse and sustainable economy.
5. We will reduce carbon emissions and improve climate change resilience in our resident communities and businesses.

A further description of the intentions for the agricultural economy is in the farming and forestry, nature recovery and climate change outcome. The combination all these intentions will help to sustain and grow a diverse and resilient economy for the benefit of our communities and environment.

Key transformative actions to achieve our ambitions

VCPE.act.1

Manage the impact of second homes and short-term holiday lets in the Lake District by:

1. Implement the introduction of a registration system and database for short-term holiday lets, when announced.
2. Implement planning land-use changes related to short-term holiday lets, when announced.
3. Post-general election, work with other groups to lobby government to further control short-term holiday lets and second homes.
4. Support Westmorland & Furness and Cumberland councils to use    mechanisms to encourage the conversion of second homes to residential dwellings.

VCPE.act.2

Secure the delivery of key projects within the Windermere Gateway area including:

1. Securing Homes England and Westmorland and Furness Council funding to support the Windermere Gateway development by December 2024.
2. Delivery of enabling highway improvements and access infrastructure by March 2026.
3. Further the delivery of housing and employment sites by:
   • Securing a planning application for affordable and local needs homes (in line with land allocation CSE01M, Land at Orrest Head Farm, Windermere) by December 2024 (outline planning application).
   • Securing a planning application for employment space (in line with land allocation CSE01M, Land at Orrest Head Farm, Windermere) by December 2024 (outline planning application).
4. Seek funding to deliver the Windermere railway line improvements and Windermere Station improvements by December 2024.

VCPE.act.3

By March 2025 agree a long-term plan for transformational change to visitor management in Wasdale and Ullswater Valleys.

VCPE.act.4

Lobby transport operators and infrastructure providers to help connect people with jobs in rural areas they couldn’t otherwise take through the provision of an effective and innovative rural bus service.

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To maximise the opportunities presented by the Project Gigabit Cumbria pilot project to connect gigabit capable broadband in hard- to-reach premises in the Lake District.

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The Lake District National Park contains some of the most challenging to reach properties in the UK: we will work with suppliers, communities and the UK Government to look at opportunities and policies to support improved broadband connectivity to ensure that no one and no place is left behind.

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Monitor 4G coverage in the National Park as the Shared Rural Network delivers and assess whether further intervention is required so that no-one and no place is left behind.

VCPE.act.8

Support local authorities in the development of Cumbria’s climate change adaption plan round four by December 2024.

VCPE.act.9

Work with the Cumbria Rural Housing Enabler Service to bring forward Lake District National Park Authority site allocations by March 2026.

VCPE.act.10

Proactively promote energy efficiency, sustainable building measures/ retrofit options for homeowners and businesses, with a particular focus on traditionally constructed buildings, including a presumption against demolition.