Couple have lived in timber lodge since 1998 without permission
Graham and Margaret Lavis have lived in their lorry-delivered timber lodge in Pembrokeshire for nearly 30 years without planning permission
A couple has been told they can remain in their timber lodge in Pembrokeshire where they have live since 1998
(Image: Local Democracy Reporting Service)
A Pembrokeshire couple who have resided in their lorry-transported timber lodge without planning consent for almost three decades have been told they can continue to live there.
Through their agent Hayston Developments & Planning Ltd, Graham and Margaret Lavis lodged an application with Pembrokeshire Coast National Park for a certificate of lawfulness concerning their single-storey timber lodge Windermere situated at Simpson Cross near Haverfordwest. For our free daily briefing on the biggest issues facing the nation, sign up to the Wales Matters newsletter here .
A certificate of lawfulness application enables applicants to retain a development by demonstrating evidence of occupation or usage across an extended timeframe.
The accompanying statement said: "The application relates to a timber-based dwelling, formerly a lodge which was delivered in two parts by lorry and then bolted together, that has been present on this site and occupied continuously by Mr and Mrs Graham Lavis since late November 1998 – a period of nearly 27 years.
"The veranda along the frontage of the lodge was also constructed in late 1998.
"In order to confirm that Windermere has been occupied as their only and permanent dwelling since November 1998 Mr and Mrs Lavis have now decided to apply for a Certificate of Lawfulness under the four and 10-year rule – the granting of which would also mean that it would benefit from immunity from any enforcement action.
"This application is not only on the basis of the size and fixed nature of the dwelling (in circa 2005/2007 a separate kitchen was attached to the original lodge and later on a further bedroom) but with the history of continuous occupation by Mr and Mrs Lavis from November 1998 to the present.
"The history of both construction and size means that Windermere can no longer be seen as a caravan/mobile home but as a permanent dwelling."
The submission noted that a neighbouring property owned by the same family, The Stables, had been awarded a certificate of lawfulness in 2005.
Supporting the application were witness statements confirming occupancy and a record of building works carried out.
An officer's report stated the council was "satisfied that the evidence accompanying the application is sufficient to establish that the existing use is lawful," noting the construction history had been verified through examination of the site via Google Earth imagery.
A certificate of lawfulness for the proposal was approved.
Article continues below
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Western Telegraph
7 hours ago
- Western Telegraph
Couple lived in timber lodge for 27 years without permission
In an application to Pembrokeshire Coast National Park, Graham and Margaret Lavis, through agent Hayston Developments & Planning Ltd, submitted an application for a certificate of lawfulness for single-storey timber lodge Windermere, Simpson Cross, near Haverfordwest. An application for a certificate of lawfulness allows an applicant to keep a development if they can provide proof of occupancy or use over a prolonged period. A supporting statement said: 'The application relates to a timber-based dwelling, formerly a lodge which was delivered in two parts by lorry and then bolted together, that has been present on this site and occupied continuously by Mr and Mrs Graham Lavis since late November 1998 – a period of nearly 27 years. The veranda along the frontage of the lodge was also constructed in late 1998. 'In order to confirm that Windermere has been occupied as their only and permanent dwelling since November 1998, Mr and Mrs Lavis have now decided to apply for a Certificate of Lawfulness under the four and 10-year rule – the granting of which would also mean that it would benefit from immunity from any enforcement action. 'This application is not only on the basis of the size and fixed nature of the dwelling (in circa 2005/2007 a separate kitchen was attached to the original lodge and later on a further bedroom) but with the history of continuous occupation by Mr and Mrs Lavis from November 1998 to the present. 'The history of both construction and size means that Windermere can no longer be seen as a caravan/mobile home but as a permanent dwelling.' The statement said an adjacent property, in the ownership of the same family, The Stables, was granted a certificate of lawfulness back in 2005. In support of the application witness statements of occupancy and a history of construction works were provided. An officer report said the authority was 'satisfied that the evidence accompanying the application is sufficient to establish that the existing use is lawful,' adding the history of works had been corroborated through the review of the site using Google Earth Images. A certificate of lawfulness for the scheme was granted.
Wales Online
11 hours ago
- Wales Online
Elderly mum and son stuck in Travelodge living off Pot Noodles after eviction
Elderly mum and son stuck in Travelodge living off Pot Noodles after eviction Paul Maddocks, 43, and his 73-year-old mum Susan Weatherman have been living in a hotel room since July 21 after being made homeless - and are forced to share a double bed Paul Maddocks and his mother have been living a hotel room for weeks A mother and son from Stockport have been residing in a hotel room for weeks following their eviction - without facilities to prepare meals or wash their clothing. Read here about Wales plans to stop people becoming homelessness Paul Maddocks, 43, and his 73 year old mum Susan Weatherman say they've been surviving on Pot Noodles and snacks at the hotel since July 21, and were forced to share a double bed for over a week before securing a twin room. Read here about the government's plan to scrap a law that outlaws rough sleeping and begging Stockport Homes relocated them to the Travelodge on Upper Brook Street in Manchester after they were evicted from their previous residence in Edgeley. Read here about the couple who donated two homes for the homeless Paul and his mum Sue, want to be placed closer to their family and friends in Stockport "We've been here for three weeks now, it's really playing on my mental health," Paul said, reports the Manchester Evening News. For our free daily briefing on the biggest issues facing the nation, sign up to the Wales Matters newsletter here "We've not got a fridge in the room, a microwave, or a cooker, so we're having to eat Pot Noodles and takeaways every day, and there's no laundry here. "We spent two weeks in a room with just one double bed. We're running out of cash, we're getting no support with food. We're trying to budget but we're really worried about when our money runs out. " His mum Susan said: "It's a nightmare, it's doing my head in being here and we're far away from our family and friends." Stockport Homes said it is "deeply sorry for the distress" the family is experiencing. A spokesperson said: "Losing your home through no fault of your own is incredibly hard, and we understand how much tougher it is to manage health issues while staying in a hotel. "No one wants families to be in this situation, and we know it's far from what anyone would consider a home. "Like many areas across the country, we're facing pressures on housing, with far more families needing permanent homes than there are properties available. Sadly, that means some people do have to stay in temporary accommodation while we work to find something more suitable." The statement further assured that efforts will continue to secure a stable home for the family. The pair only have a table top as a kitchen area The Edgeley-based family found themselves without a roof over their heads when their previous landlord, Gary Fildes, sold the property they were renting. Gary explained that he was forced to sell due to mounting financial strains and had reached out to Stockport Homes in March to facilitate a seamless transition to social housing. He has since been assisting the family in liaising with Stockport Homes. Gary expressed his disbelief, stating: "To put a 73-year-old in a hotel for nine days in one room [with her adult son] is mental, I have never heard anything like that. There's been absolutely no message on time frames from the council. I just do not get where the compassion is from them." The necessity of spending on ready meals and takeaways has left Paul and Sue anxious about depleting their funds and having to budget meticulously. A Travelodge spokesperson commented: "We understand the pressure local authorities are under and how difficult this is for them and for the people who desperately need a home. Like many other hotel providers, Travelodge works with local authorities to support them with their temporary accommodation needs. "Travelodge's focus is on ensuring all of our customers have a high quality experience across our hotels and we recognise that a hotel room is not a substitute for a home." The firm also noted that the booking was made on behalf of the guests and that they had no say over the choice of room type. Paul has considered private renting but finds nothing affordable in Stockport. Paul and his mother cannot cook a hot meal anywhere in the room He's currently off work due to illness and has struggled with mental health issues. With rents in the borough averaging £1,000 a month, an 8 per cent increase from last year as reported by the Office for National Statistics, affordability is a challenge. Paul expressed his disappointment with the lack of support from Stockport Homes in their dire circumstances. "My head is just burned out, we feel really let down by Stockport Homes, this is not good enough. "I just want them to give us an update to know what's happening. We have absolutely no idea how long we could be here for. We just do not feel they are trying to help us out of this. "We've tried the private rental market and we just couldn't afford it. We're miles away from our family and friends and other things like GPs." Article continues below Stockport Council is poised to allocate approximately £2m on emergency housing this year, in response to an escalating demand for hotel accommodation and increasing homelessness rates within the borough. Stockport Homes, which is under the council's ownership, oversees the social housing stock in the area, with a register that currently includes about 8,000 individuals on the register.
Wales Online
11 hours ago
- Wales Online
Couple have lived in timber lodge since 1998 without permission
Couple have lived in timber lodge since 1998 without permission Graham and Margaret Lavis have lived in their lorry-delivered timber lodge in Pembrokeshire for nearly 30 years without planning permission A couple has been told they can remain in their timber lodge in Pembrokeshire where they have live since 1998 (Image: Local Democracy Reporting Service) A Pembrokeshire couple who have resided in their lorry-transported timber lodge without planning consent for almost three decades have been told they can continue to live there. Through their agent Hayston Developments & Planning Ltd, Graham and Margaret Lavis lodged an application with Pembrokeshire Coast National Park for a certificate of lawfulness concerning their single-storey timber lodge Windermere situated at Simpson Cross near Haverfordwest. For our free daily briefing on the biggest issues facing the nation, sign up to the Wales Matters newsletter here . A certificate of lawfulness application enables applicants to retain a development by demonstrating evidence of occupation or usage across an extended timeframe. The accompanying statement said: "The application relates to a timber-based dwelling, formerly a lodge which was delivered in two parts by lorry and then bolted together, that has been present on this site and occupied continuously by Mr and Mrs Graham Lavis since late November 1998 – a period of nearly 27 years. "The veranda along the frontage of the lodge was also constructed in late 1998. "In order to confirm that Windermere has been occupied as their only and permanent dwelling since November 1998 Mr and Mrs Lavis have now decided to apply for a Certificate of Lawfulness under the four and 10-year rule – the granting of which would also mean that it would benefit from immunity from any enforcement action. "This application is not only on the basis of the size and fixed nature of the dwelling (in circa 2005/2007 a separate kitchen was attached to the original lodge and later on a further bedroom) but with the history of continuous occupation by Mr and Mrs Lavis from November 1998 to the present. "The history of both construction and size means that Windermere can no longer be seen as a caravan/mobile home but as a permanent dwelling." The submission noted that a neighbouring property owned by the same family, The Stables, had been awarded a certificate of lawfulness in 2005. Supporting the application were witness statements confirming occupancy and a record of building works carried out. An officer's report stated the council was "satisfied that the evidence accompanying the application is sufficient to establish that the existing use is lawful," noting the construction history had been verified through examination of the site via Google Earth imagery. A certificate of lawfulness for the proposal was approved. Article continues below
