DeMyth Series: Local Occupancy at Newlands Estate Explained

What is Local Occupancy?
All homes at Newlands Estate are designated for local occupancy only. This means that anyone who wants to buy a home here must have a strong local connection to the area – we aren’t legally allowed to sell to buyers without that connection. This restriction is in place because of a formal Section 106 (S106) agreement, which forms part of our planning permission.

While this might sound limiting, it’s actually designed to benefit the local community. It ensures that local people can own homes in their area now and in the future. It also helps prevent these homes from being turned into second homes or holiday lets, preserving the character of the Lake District for future generations.

How Do You Qualify for Local Occupancy?
To qualify, you must have a connection to the “locally defined” area, which includes the following parishes of Above Derwent, all located within the Lake District National Park: Bassenthwaite, Bewaldeth and Snittlegarth, Blindbothel, Blindcrake, Borrowdale, Buttermere and Brackenthwaite, Caldbeck, Embleton, Ireby and Uldale, Keswick, Lorton, Loweswater, Mungrisdale, St Johns, Castlerigg and Wythburn, Setmurthy, Threlkeld, Underskiddaw, and Wythop.

To be eligible, you must also meet at least one of the following criteria:

1. Residency: You’ve lived in the local area continuously for three years immediately prior to occupation.
2. Employment: You’ve been employed in the local area for at least the last six months, working a minimum of 16 hours per week.
3. Returning from Education: You are a former resident returning within 12 months of completing a post-secondary education course, having previously lived in the local area for at least three years.
4. Special Circumstances: You are currently in prison, hospital, or similar accommodation, and you lived in the local area for at least three years before moving to that accommodation.
5. Care Needs: You need to live in the local area to provide or receive substantial care from a relative, as identified by a medical doctor or relevant support agency.
6. Former Resident: You lived in the local area for three years, moved away for social or economic reasons, and are returning within three years.
7. Armed Forces: You are currently serving, have served in the regular forces within the last five years, or are entitled to housing due to circumstances related to your service in the regular or reserve forces.

We’ve aimed to simplify these requirements, but the S106 agreement does provide a more detailed, legal explanation.

Not Sure If You Qualify?
If you’re uncertain whether you meet the local occupancy criteria, please reach out to us. Sometimes, you may qualify even if it’s not immediately obvious, and we’re here to help guide you through the process. These opportunities don’t come around often, and we wouldn’t want you to miss out just because of some confusion over the details.

This development offers something unique: a characterful new build, thoughtfully designed to blend into the stunning Lakeland landscape. Each home is energy-efficient, requires little maintenance, and needs no renovation – an ideal investment and a rare chance to own a property in one of the most beautiful parts of the world. It really is something special.

Discounted Sales Opportunities
What’s more, some of the homes at Newlands Estate are available as discounted sales, meaning you might be able to own one at just 60% of the market value. We believe many local people will qualify for these homes, and we’re delighted to contribute this opportunity to the community. Look out for our next DeMyth blog post, where we’ll explain the discounted sales criteria in more detail.

Register Your Interest
If you’re interested in our Newlands Estate development, you can register your interest by filling in the form at the bottom of our webpage; here. Once registered, you’ll receive priority access to brochures, pricing, and availability ahead of the public launch. We expect to begin contacting those who have registered their interest very soon, likely within the month of October. So, keep an eye on your inbox and follow us on social media for updates.