Changing planning permission for holiday cottages

Pennylane

A couple I knew bought a derelict barn with quite a bit of land knowing that it was not for permanent living. They got it very cheap because of this. The council asked what their permanent address was and they couldn't answer because they'd sold their previous house. They had to go and buy a big motor caravan and say that they were going to live in that abroad each winter.

They did it up while living on the land in a caravan and assumed that nobody at the council would check on them. Wrong! They thought they could just pretend to go away for a couple of months each year until the council mentioned utility bills etc.

Pennylane

There'a another post on here today about a couple who have just been told they cannot live in their "mock tudor" £500,000 house which they built inside a barn several years ago.

It links in very well with this thread and is a good example of how people think they are above planning laws.

clutton_2

how do councils find out ?


they rely SOLELY on members of the public telling them in nmy area - so if you know of a situation talk to your local Planning Enforcement Officer