RESTRICTIONS designed to limit the number of second-home-owners in the Yorkshire Dales National Park could be loosened because of the mortgage drought.

The park introduced a policy in 2005 which meant new houses could only be sold or rented to local people below the market rents to prevent families being forced out of the area.

A similar system is in place across England and Wales’ 12 other national parks.

However, Richmondshire District Council leader John Blackie, whose authority covers part of the Dales, has now called for changes as banks are reluctant to agree mortgages on homes with occupancy restrictions.

He said: “It was a good idea, but the whole thing has been overwhelmed by the financial crisis.”

Peter Stockton, the park authority’s head of sustainable development, said members would discuss whether to allow lenders to sell repossessed properties on the open market.