AN historic 10-bed Manor House on Dartmoor can be used as a holiday let – but stag and hen parties will be banned.

Canonteign Manor in Christow is mentioned in the Domesday Book and became a home for King Charles I and his troops when the war broke out in 1642 during the English Civil War.

The impressive Grade I listed stately home is owned by Liqun Peng, and he had asked Dartmoor National Park planners for permission to enable the Manor House in Christow to be used as a holiday let.

Friday morning’s meeting saw them grant planning permission for the Manor House to be used as a holiday let, subject to the completion of an acceptable unilateral undertaking being signed off.

A unilateral undertaking is a legal document made pursuant to Section 106 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 and would govern rules that the owners of the House have to abide by.

The draft Heads of Terms for the unilateral undertaking were presented to the committee, including House Rules that were designed to minimise any impact visitors would have on neighbours, including a rule designed to stop hen or stag parties hiring the premises that said no same sex groups would be allowed to occupy the property.

But committee members were outraged at the equality implications of such a policy and called for it to be removed.

Philip Vogel said he was very concerned as it is prejudicial against the LGBTQ community, while Mark Redners said that he found that line quite offensive and asked for it to be removed.

Planning officer James Aven said that did acknowledge what people are saying and discussions over that point had been held, with the wording likely to be changed to ‘no same sex groups unless otherwise agreed’.

And Katherine Metcalfe, speaking on behalf of the applicant said that there was no intention of them not being inclusive, but it was to try and restrict groups, such as hen and stag parties, that would cause the noise issues that neighbours were concerned about, and that the wording of the house rule would be looked at it detail with solicitors to ensure there were no equality implications.

DRAFT HEADS OF TERMS

Prior to any occupation, the south garden area, including the swimming pool, hot tub area, and garden space, will be fenced off and signage displayed stating there is no access for guests at any time

The swimming pool shall be decommissioned, drained, and provided with a semi-permanent cover

House Rules will be adopted.

The south garden area is out of bounds at all times

No amplified music is allowed outside at any time

Smoking shall only take place in designated smoking zones

External activities shall only take place between 9am and 9pm

No organised outdoor sports activities shall be allowed

No same sex groups, unless otherwise agreed by the owners, are allowed to occupy the property (so no stag or hen parties)

There will be a maximum of 13 adults in any group

The maximum group size, including children, will be no more than 17

A term of the letting contract is that tenants must comply with the House Rules

A Housekeeper will be in residence when the property is occupied by tenants and the housekeeper will be responsible for greeting tenants, explaining the House Rules, and ensuring tenants comply with the House Rules

Calling for the scheme to be approved, she added: ‘Canonteign Manor has seen centuries of change and transformed from a nearly derelict wreck to the house it is today, but the existing use as a second home is not the best way to maintain and preserve the fabric of the building and without it being occupied regularly then the upkeep is financial onerous.

‘Even in the event of the sale, a new owner would pursue the same change of use. This will provide a sustainable and viable use for the building to sustain the ongoing running costs, and the concerns of neighbours have been addressed.’

Sally Morgan though said there were still too many questions, the application was premature, and that she would like to see the acceptable unilateral undertaking before making a decision on this.

But Stuart Barker said that while members has clearly expressed their views about what should in the unilateral undertaking, the wording and final detail was for officers and solicitors to agree to.

And James McInnes said that he was solidly in favour of approval and letting the officers agree the final details. He added: ‘This is an historic house that has to find its way to be maintained and looked after well, and a holiday let can do that. When the house was built, it would have been a bustling and busy place, and the use brought forward is reasonable.”

Recommending approval, the report of planning officers said: ‘The applicant has taken on board the concerns raised by local residents. The proposed boundary fencing and unilateral undertaking seeks to ensure that the pool is decommissioned, covered and that this area, in close proximity to neighbours on the southern boundary, is not available to guests. Furthermore, reasonable endeavours would be taken to secure compliance with the ‘house rules’, which include restricted times for other outdoor activities.

‘Officers are of the opinion that an objection based on the risk of disturbance and impact on the amenity of neighbouring residents would be difficult to substantiate given the reduced scheme now proposed and the Authority’s ability to control the use and activities by condition and through the undertaking.

‘It is therefore considered appropriate to recommend that the application be approved with the proviso that the use should not commence until the pool area is decommissioned and fenced from the application site.’

The committee saw councillors vote by nine votes to three, with three abstentions, to approve the change of use to enable it to be used as a holiday let, although permission will only be granted upon completion of an acceptable unilateral undertaking.

The impressive Grade I listed stately home is owned by Liqun Peng, who is based in China, and last year, due to him having to spend the majority of his time overseas, put the property on the market for around £4m, but so far has found no buyers.

It has spectacular views across the River Teign and one of its most attractive features is its spacious dining hall which has a stone floor and intricate wood panelling.