A FORMER herdsman's bungalow on Exmoor that sparked a storm of controversy when it came under the threat of demolition is to be restored and rented out - preferably to a local family.

Exmoor National Park Authority this week rejected a bid to sell Blackpitts, which it bought for £236,000 with around a hectare of land three years ago to stop what it called the "urbanisation" of the moor.

The authority came under fire last year when it approved plans to flatten the site to improve the view.

More than 2,000 people signed a protest petition organised by the pressure group Exmoor Uprising and last December the authority was forced to review its plans, eventually deciding the bungalow would be allowed to remain.

But at a meeting on Tuesday, national park members were presented with the cost of restoration - estimated at about £93,000 - and were given the option of selling it with a modern agricultural tie.

However, they voted to abide by their December decision and even upped the restoration budget to £100,000 to cover any additional costs.

Exmoor Uprising spokesman Molly Groves said she was absolutely delighted and relieved with the outcome.

"I am very pleased that they kept the promise they made in December and have seen sense," she said.

"But I am very worried about the cost of the restoration and I believe the work they plan to do is way over the top.

"If you look at the schedule of works proposed it is nonsensical - it is practically a Sloane Square renovation.

"I am very disappointed in this aspect of the decision. I don't believe there is any need to take off the roof or replace all the windows and doors in the way they propose.

"The national park authority previously set aside £100,000 to demolish Blackpitts - now at least it will be spending the same amount of money and will be left with a valuable asset, rather than just a non-existent view."

A national park spokesman said as a local authority it had to meet strict standards for decent housing.

Four quotes had been received for the work and the tender had now been let.

John Dyke, who was re-elected as chairman of the authority at the same meeting, said: "We have listened to local people. Blackpitts will stay and will be rented out, almost certainly to a local family involved in agriculture and with an even stronger agricultural tie."