By Elizabeth Broughton

Last updated at 15:17, Wednesday, 19 August 2009

The remote farmhouse made famous by cult film Withnail and I is back on the market after a sale fell through.

Seb Hindley outside the house

United Utilities, who own Sleddale Hall, near Shap, have confirmed that there is no buyer for the property – despite massive interest. Super model Kate Moss was among those rumoured to be interested in buying the remote house when the water company took it to auction last February.

Publican Sebastian Hindley, who owns the nearby Mardale Inn, appeared to have bought it for £265,000.

He had hoped to be able to open the house up so that the film’s many fans could visit, but a restricted covenant that United Utilities refused to negotiate on is believed to have been the sale’s stumbling point.

The covenant means that the property can only be used as a private dwelling.

Mr Hindley, who had hoped to be able to strike a deal with the water company, described the latest development as a “great shame for the area”.

At the moment, those fans who choose to visit the farmhouse do so illegally, and Mr Hindley believes that by retaining the property as a private dwelling the remote area is missing out on potential tourist business.

A spokesman from United Utilities said: “We are very keen to see the building brought back to life in a way that is sensitive to its surroundings. We have placed certain covenants on the property, because it is on reservoir catchment land.

“We need to retain some control over the use of the building.

“Ultimately the final use of Sleddale Hall will be down to the planning authority. But we want to work closely with the buyer and the planning authority when the time comes to make sure the property is put to an appropriate use which doesn’t spoil the location or impact on the quality of water in the reservoir.”

First published at 05:16, Friday, 14 August 2009
Published by http://www.cumberlandnews.co.uk