Grandparents ordered to tear down luxury £1m home in planning row
"Planning rules are there for a reason – including protecting our countryside and this decision demonstrates that we will act when those rules are broken."
A couple have been left devastated after being ordered to tear down their luxury one-million-pound home following a "flagrant breach" of planning laws.
Jeremy Zielinski and his wife Elaine say they'll be left homeless and that they didn't know they were bending the rules, reports the Mirror.
The pair were given permission for a two-storey commercial building for their horses and a lab, with a tiny flat upstairs for workers. But officials were stunned to find the sleek building in Great Abington, Cambridgeshire was actually a plush three-bed home with stunning countryside views.
Now, after a lengthy row council officials have slapped them with an order to demolish the lot.
But Mrs Zielinski, 79, pleaded with this week: "We want to carry on living here. It's a warm and comfortable home. I love it. It doesn't make sense to tear it down. I don't want to go and live in a caravan. If we are chucked out, we will be having to rely on the state."
The couple, who have six grandchildren, attempted to overturn the ruling in 2023, arguing that it was over the top and they could just switch back to what was allowed.
However, their hopes were crushed when a planning inspector checked out the evidence and ruled they'd built the house from the start, describing it as "a clear and flagrant breach of planning policy".
Mrs Zielinski, a GP's receptionist, insisted to Mail Online: "We would not have gone on and built this and put all our money into it unless we thought it was totally legal to do it."
Her partner, 73, who used to market for The Injured Jockeys Fund and now delivers meds, added: "I have not had a decent night's sleep in years and, from the moment when we got the first visit in 2020 [from council officials], life has been shaky."
The pair from Great Abington near Cambridge, left locals split after their planning appeal flopped. One neighbour remarked: "I genuinely feel sorry for him."
South Cambridgeshire District Council, run by the Lib Dems, has doubled down on the importance of sticking to planning rules and protecting the countryside.
Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community!
Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today.
You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland.
No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team.
All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in!
If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'.
We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like.
To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'.
Councillor Dr Tumi Hawkins, the authority's lead cabinet member for planning, said he welcomed "the inspector's clear decision".
He said: "This case shows the importance of adhering to the specific uses and conditions that justify development in rural areas. Planning rules are there for a reason – including protecting our countryside and this decision demonstrates that we will act when those rules are broken."
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Record
37 minutes ago
- Daily Record
Nespresso coffee machine bundle that makes brewing effortless now 45% off on Amazon
Snag the Nespresso Coffee Machine Barista Bundle in time for Father's Day Dreaming of café-quality coffee from the comfort of your own home? Look no further than the latest offering from Nespresso. Right now, Amazon is serving up an irresistible deal on the Nespresso Coffee Machine Barista Bundle. This comprehensive package includes the Vertuo Pop black by Magimix, a Milk Frother, 2 Nespresso Mugs, 2 Spoons, and both Melozio Coffee Pods and Chiaro Coffee Pods. You can get this fantastic bundle for just £109.00, a significant 45 percent saving off its original price of £199.00. Beyond the sleek black model, this machine is also available in vibrant yellow and blue, allowing you to choose a shade that perfectly complements your kitchen. The machine is remarkably VERSATILE, offering four coffee cup sizes, Mug/Coffee, Gran Lungo, Double Espresso, and Espresso, all via three different coffee pod sizes. Thanks to Bluetooth and Wi-Fi, SMART CONNECTIVITY ensures you always get the best and most up-to-date Nespresso coffee experience through automatic software updates. Creating exceptional coffee is a breeze with its ONE TOUCH operation, and the included AEROCCINO3 milk frother lets you enjoy perfectly textured hot or cold milk for lattes and cappuccinos. If you're exploring other options, consider these alternatives, though they don't offer the exact same comprehensive bundle. If it's the Philips L'OR BARISTA Sublime Coffee Capsule Machine you're after, then you're not alone, as it boasts a strong 4.5 out of 5 stars from over 2,600 reviews. It's also currently 45 percent off on Amazon at £59.99. Or perhaps you can take a look at the De'Longhi Nescafé Dolce Gusto Piccolo XS has had shoppers branding it with a remarkable 4.4 out of 5 stars from over 12,000 reviews and is available for £54.99 on Amazon. Nespresso Coffee Machine Barista Bundle £199.00 £109.00 Amazon Shop Product Description With over 500 units bought in the past month and an impressive 4.1 out of 5 stars from 950 ratings, the Nespresso Barista Bundle has clearly resonated with coffee lovers. One satisfied user raved: "A great little coffee machine. All the cleaning done for you. Product is well made and simple to use, looks good on kitchen top." Another buyer praised the machine, noting: "At last a reasonably priced coffee machine that makes great coffee and with good volume as well," also appreciating the swift delivery of free pods. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. A particularly glowing review summed up the experience, stating it "exceeded my expectations... The machine itself is incredibly user-friendly... The built-in milk frother is a fantastic addition... Each cup is rich, aromatic, and perfectly balanced, providing a café-quality experience." However, not everyone has had a perfectly smooth experience. One critical review stated: "Decent coffee but it is a scam in this economy. You need a subscription for the refill which will cost around 2 pounds per cup of coffee + electricity + milk, water sugar. Better get it from the coffee shop." Another less positive review noted: "Didn't realise that it is a new type of Nespresso machine... The previous Nespresso capsules are incompatible... new capsules are twice as expensive for less the amount of capsules". If you're ready to elevate your morning coffee routine with a blend of convenience, quality, and versatility, get this product on Amazon now.
Wales Online
an hour ago
- Wales Online
Well-known Swansea pub put up for sale
Well-known Swansea pub put up for sale It includes two main functions rooms, a beer garden, and bedrooms on the first, second and third floors and is up for grabs for £549,995 The Schooner Inn is up for sale (Image: Clee Tompkinson Francis ) A well-known pub which has been part of the furniture of Swansea's Marina area for decades has been put up for sale. The Schooner Inn, located in Somerset Place, was popular for its bingo, comedy club and social afternoons, along with its pool table, darts and beer garden. But Clee Tompkinson Francis is now marketing the pub for sale for £549,995, stating it is being sold unoccupied, and has potential to be "split into three different investment units". It has two bar areas and six-bedroom accommodation above, a beer garden, a cafe-kitchen, and a large basement. Never miss a Swansea story by signing up to our newsletter here The listing states: "A large freehold city centre pub/hostel situated within the Marina, Swansea. "This property benefits from a fully licensed bar, hostel and music licence. Accommodation includes entrance hallway, main pub/bar area, two large function rooms, gents and female toilet blocks, further kitchen and bar area to rear, cafe/kitchen and beer garden." Inside the Schooner Inn (Image: Clee Tompkinson Francis ) Article continues below It adds: "To the lower ground floor is a large basement. "To the first and second floors are six bedrooms and two bathrooms. To the third floor are a further two rooms. "The property presents itself as an opportunity as a mixed use development, hotel, cafe, public house, HMO/Airbnb (subject to approval)." The bar and pool table area (Image: Clee Tompkinson Francis ) You can find out more about the opportunity by visiting the Clee Tompkinson Francis website by clicking here. Elsewhere in Swansea, The Glamorgan Hotel, in Argyle Street, is also being marketed by Clee Tompkinson & Francis for £499,995. Article continues below The venue was once a popular drinking spot in the city and was included in The Real Ale Pub Guide 2000, which provided a county-by-county guide to 2,500 free-houses, brew pubs, and micro-breweries. Click here to read more. Get Swansea news updates on your phone by joining our WhatsApp community here . We occasionally treat members to special offers, promotions and ads from us and our partners. See our Privacy Notice .
Daily Mirror
5 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
Document may help protect your DWP PIP payments
Major DWP PIP changes are due to come into force next November Millions of people who receive Personal Independence Payment (PIP) can expect major changes to the disability benefits system from November 2026. PIP will continue to be non-means-tested, increase annually in line with inflation, remain tax-free and not affect the Benefit Cap. The government also intends to lift the application age from 16 to 18 and ramp up the number of face-to-face assessments, which took a hit during the pandemic due to lockdown measures. However, the most substantial change will be in eligibility, primarily through an overhaul of the points scoring system for the daily living component. If these proposed changes successfully make it into law, they will come into effect for new claimants from next November. This timeline will also apply to existing claimants, so the first step is to check your PIP award letter for the date of your next review. This is essentially the expiry date for your current award, reports the Daily Record. If your review is scheduled before November 2026, and the DWP manages to clear the current backlog of pending PIP reviews, your review should be carried out and a new award decision made which, if successful, should carry you beyond that crucial date. If your review date falls after November 2026, you'll be subject to the proposed assessment changes and a revamp of the points system for the daily living component. To qualify for payment, you'll need to score at least four points in one of the ten daily living questions - even if scoring two points in every question takes you beyond the award thresholds of eight (standard rate) and twelve (enhanced rate). There are a number of tips people can employ to help protect PIP payments, and one of these involves hanging onto a certain document - the PIP 2 evidence form. When submitting your PIP claim online, you can save a copy of this form on your home computer or laptop for future reference. However, if you're filling out a paper-based form, make sure to photocopy the original document before sending it off. If you don't already have a copy of the PIP 2 evidence form, the health questionnaire you completed prior to your assessment, ring the PIP enquiry line on 0800 121 4433 and request one. Having this document will assist you with any future PIP reviews, or Adult Disability Payment (ADP) if you're set to switch to the Social Security Scotland system this Spring. Not only can the form serve as a handy reminder of your initial responses to the daily living and mobility queries, but crucially, it can assist you in detailing how your condition impacts you currently. This is particularly important if your circumstances have shifted and your health has deteriorated or other issues have cropped up. Those in receipt of PIP are also encouraged to keep a diary. This doesn't need to be a physical document, you can use your mobile phone or tablet to make a note of "bad days" and recording significant instances when something related to your condition occurs. Creating a specific note, with the time and date, where you can add things you might want to mention at a future PIP review, or just adding it to the calendar function. This isn't a task that needs to be done daily, just items that are relevant to how your condition affects you. This could include everyday tasks you struggled to safely complete alone, forgetting to take medication, or feeling down or exasperated due to your condition. Keeping all medical appointments related to your condition is also crucial to ensure your records are current, and it may be beneficial to contact a charity that specialises in your condition, even if it's just to ensure you're not missing out on additional support.
