Local builder denied permission to live in his own house in perverse Dartmoor National Park Authority decision. (Totnes & Brixham Liberal Democrats)

Totnes & Brixham Liberal Democrats <info@totneslibdems.org.uk>

Local builder denied permission to live in his own house in perverse Dartmoor National Park Authority decision.

June 11, 2003 12:00 AM

Bob Wyatt, a respected local builder, who has lived in the Buckfastleigh area for many years, is dismayed at the recent decision of the Dartmoor National Parks Authority (DNPA) to refuse planning permission to remove the clause restricting the use of the barn, in which he now lives, to holiday accommodation.

Bob bought the barn several years ago and, after appeal, received planning consent for 52 weeks per year holiday accommodation. After the conversion he unsuccessfully attempted to sell the property so decided to use it temporarily as his home and also as a base for his growing building and IT businesses which employ up to 15 people. Having been told by the DNPA that he needed planning permission to continue living there, or face eviction, he applied and but his application was turned down by the casting vote of the Chairman at the DNPA meeting on March 7th. 2003. The grounds for refusal given related to planning policies concerned with the nature of the conversion, affect on the natural beauty and character of the area, and preservation of amenities in the area. None of these are material to the case as the barn has already been converted and can be lived in all year round as holiday accommodation.

Commenting on the decision Totnes Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Spokesperson, Mike Treleaven, said:

' This seems to be a decision which is perverse in the extreme. Here we have a situation where a prominent local businessman who has lived with his family in the area for many years, and provides valuable services and employment for the local community, being denied the right to live in his own property. Bob initially tried to sell the property without success and then realised that it would provide the affordable house and base for his business that he desperately needs.

We are not talking here about a new conversion project - we are talking about a barn that has already been converted and where removal of the holiday accommodation restriction condition would not contravene planning policy one jot. We are talking about providing affordable housing and business premises for a local family in a rural community where they have been active members for years. The local people support his case as do the Parish Council. We constantly read and hear about the desperate need for affordable housing - here is an opportunity to act and it has been thrown away.

He continued:

'The ironic thing is that Bob could buy a cheap flat elsewhere, declare it as his permanent residence and then live in the barn all year as his holiday home! Where is the logic in that?

I understand that Bob and his advisers are in negotiation with the DNPA and considering a re-application and appeal against the decision. I just hope that common sense prevails and that Bob and his family are allowed to continue living and working in the community that has been their home for many years. The DNPA would do well to remember that amongst their statutory duties and powers they have a duty to 'foster the economic and social well-being of the communities within the National Park'. Surely that is what this is all about.