CAMS Houses, the Wensleydale hamlet at the centre of a furious planning row, has been included on a list of settlements where barn conversions to homes for local people may be permitted.

The Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority agreed to add 21 locations to the list of areas designated in the local plan.

The move relaxes restrictions which have barred farming and other local families from turning barns into homes for the next generation.

The decision on Thursday of last week opens the way for landowners and farmers in the designated areas to gain planning permission for such conversions.

Permission will be given only when the availability of such properties coincides with local need.

Strict occupancy agreements will mean any owner who later sells on the property must advertise it for six months with the restrictions in place. Only when no interest is shown by local buyers may the building be placed on the open market.

Coun John Blackie, a national park member who earlier this year presented a 1,500-name petition to the authority calling for a change in policy, welcomed the decision.

The petition, raised by Hawes and High Abbotside Parish Council, followed a planning row during which park members twice approved permission for conversion of a barn at Cams Houses for rent in perpetuity to a local young family. The decision was then reversed on the advice of the authority's monitoring officer when it went before the planning committee for a third time.

"Last week's decision helps maximise opportunities to house local families," said Coun Blackie. "Where a local farmer owns a barn and a son, daughter or other close relative needs a home locally, the barn may be converted. Occupancy conditions will ensure such properties go to local people but the six-month advertising condition ensures they don't get trapped with a financial millstone round their necks if they want to move on."

In Hawes, two "local occupancy" houses had recently changed hands, both of them being sold on to local people, he said.

"As long as this gets through the government inspector who will inspect our local plan, it brings a possibility of a happy ending to this rather sad story of Cams Houses and I would be delighted if that happens."

It is not yet known whether a new application for conversion of the Cams Houses barn will be submitted.

Settlements added to the local plan list also included Blades, Crackpot, Ivelet and Angram, all in Swaledale; Whaw, in Arkengarthdale; and the Wensleydale hamlets of Breconbar, Cubeck, Appersett, Sedbusk, Nappa Scar, Simonstone and Cotterdale