Latest news with #KarlJones
Daily Mail
20-05-2025
- Daily Mail
Holiday home owner complains neighbours are shunning him after turning barn into £500-a-night chalet and letting it out to 'naked and rowdy guests'
The owner of a luxury holiday barn conversion has been shunned by a village following complaints that he turned it into ' alien ' ocean liner where guests parade around naked. Property developer Karl Jones is furious with locals who protested about his £500-a-night barn makeover. And he says he has called in police after mud was thrown at it and guests were allegedly harassed while on breaks in the Welsh countryside. Villagers have complained their lives are being ruined by 'rowdy visitors playing loud music' and the 'noisy' use of a hot tub. Locals say the 18ft glass windows in the barn end makes it look like an ocean liner not a country barn. Owner Mr Jones claims the accusations are 'unfounded' and 'fabricated' - and some guests say people have been 'trespassing' and 'verbally harassing' them. His barn in Penisarwaun, North Wales, has had a back-dated planning bid thrown out. But Mr Jones blasted: 'As someone born, raised, and still proudly residing in Wales, my intention has always been to celebrate the beauty of this area and our country as a whole. 'It is incredibly disheartening to feel ostracised by the very community I belong to - simply because I sought to create a better future for my children in the wake of the financial challenges brought about by the pandemic.' Mr Jones said he and his team had been 'under the impression' that planning had been previously granted. He said: 'The council and their team visited the site multiple times, signed off on the work being done, they were fully aware of the build we were undertaking. 'We were always under the impression all work was approved. We believed the process had been completed.' The property was slapped with a planning enforcement notice in April, calling for the building to cease being used as a short-term holiday let, to revert back to ancillary use of the house, Plas Coch, and for windows to be removed. He claimed there had also been 'two troubling incidents' - involving mud thrown over a hedge, trespassing onto the property and verbal harassment of guests, reported to police on 30 April and 4 May. There was a further incident reported to police, during construction work on the barn. Fuming neighbours had taken to the council to complain about 'rowdy visitors playing loud music' and noise pollution from a hot tub where nude holidaymakers hang out. Janet Gayther, 82, whose home is overlooked by the giant window, said she frequently sees guests in their birthday suit - and it's making her life a 'misery' When the retroactive planning application was placed, swathes of villagers objected to it - protesting the 'massive' and 'horrendous' window. One resident slammed the house as having a 'harmful effect on a small, quiet area of rural Wales' and described a loss of privacy for residents. Janet Gayther, 82, whose home is overlooked by the giant window, said she frequently sees guests in their birthday suit - and it's making her life a 'misery'. 'I've seen all sorts - people coming out and getting in the hot tub without clothes. 'I've driven past in the car and visitors have been sprawled out in the nude on the sofa. 'They also climb in and out of the bath on the mezzanine floor.' The great gran added: 'There's the noise when they are having fun and games in the hot tub, having a drink and playing loud music. 'It's making my life a misery at times. The elusive lodge can be reached only by a narrow road and is advertised as a 'haven of tranquillity' in the Welsh countryside. Neighbours say they've had visitors knocking on their door at 1 am trying to find it. Michael Sharp, 72, said people 'behave really badly' and that it's the luxury hot tub that seems to 'provoke bad behaviour'. He said: 'We can hear the noise inside the house, even with the doors closed,. 'People are coming for a good time. We have had drones flying above our property. 'Some people are completely selfish and not community-minded.' Mr Sharp told NorthWalesLive: 'It just looks like some huge ocean liner all lit up in the night floating in the middle of the countryside. It's an alien structure, it bears no resemblance to the original barn. 'We would just like the thing knocked down.' A Gwynedd council spokesperson said: 'No appeal has been registered in relation to the planning application or the enforcement notice for Plas Coch, Penisarwaun.'
Scottish Sun
20-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
Nightmare neighbours chuck MUD on Grand Designs-style home & annoy guests – they say it's an ‘eyesore' but they're wrong
One neighbour claimed it was making her life a 'misery' MUDDY HELL Nightmare neighbours chuck MUD on Grand Designs-style home & annoy guests – they say it's an 'eyesore' but they're wrong Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) NIGHTMARE neighbours have allegedly harassed and thrown mud on a Grand Designs-style home, with residents calling the property an "eyesore" - but the owner claims they're wrong. Karl Jones, the owner of a luxury holiday barn conversion in the Welsh countryside, revealed a village has shunned him after complaints that he turned it into an "alien ocean liner" where guests parade naked. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 11 The luxury holiday barn conversion in Penisarwaun, North Wales Credit: WNS 11 The owner charges guests £300-a-night Credit: WNS 11 Guests were allegedly harassed during their countryside breaks in Wales Credit: WNS 11 Fuming neighbours had taken to the council to complain about 'rowdy visitors playing loud music' Credit: WNS The property developer is furious with locals who protested about his £300-a-night barn makeover. He claims he was forced to call the police after mud was thrown at the house and guests were allegedly harassed during their countryside breaks in Wales. Villagers have complained their lives are being ruined by 'rowdy visitors playing loud music' and the 'noisy' use of a hot tub. Locals say the 18ft glass windows in the barn end make it look like an ocean liner, not a country barn. Owner Mr Jones claims the accusations are 'unfounded' and 'fabricated' - and some guests say people have been 'trespassing' and 'verbally harassing' them. His barn at Penisarwaun, North Wales, has had a back-dated planning bid thrown out. But Mr Jones blasted: 'As someone born, raised, and still proudly residing in Wales, my intention has always been to celebrate the beauty of this area and our country as a whole. 'It is incredibly disheartening to feel ostracised by the very community I belong to – simply because I sought to create a better future for my children in the wake of the financial challenges brought about by the pandemic.' Mr Jones said he and his team had been 'under the impression' that planning had been previously granted. He added: 'The council and their team visited the site multiple times, signed off on the work being done, they were fully aware of the build we were undertaking. Moment neighbour 'STEALS' 1.9m of next door's garden & tears down their shed in bitter land row while they're on holiday 'We were always under the impression all work was approved. We believed the process had been completed.' The property was hit with a planning enforcement notice in April, ordering it to stop being used as a short-term holiday let, revert to being an annexe of the main house, Plas Coch, and have its windows removed. He claimed there had also been 'two troubling incidents' – involving mud thrown over a hedge, trespassing onto the property and verbal harassment of guests, reported to police on 30 April and 4 May. Mr Jones said he reported another incident to the police while construction work was underway on the barn. Fuming neighbours had taken to the council to complain about "rowdy visitors playing loud music" and noise pollution from a hot tub where nude holidaymakers hang out. When the retrospective planning application was submitted, many villagers objected to it — protesting the 'massive' and 'horrendous' window. 'MISERY' One resident slammed the house as having a "harmful effect on a small, quiet area of rural Wales" and described a loss of privacy for residents. Janet Gayther, 82, whose home is overlooked by the giant window, said she frequently sees guests in their birthday suit - and it's making her life a "misery". "I've seen all sorts - people coming out and getting in the hot tub without clothes. "I've driven past in the car and visitors have been sprawled out in the nude on the sofa. "They also climb in and out of the bath on the mezzanine floor." The great-grandmother added: 'There's the noise when they are having fun and games in the hot tub, having a drink and playing loud music. "It's making my life a misery at times." The elusive lodge can be reached only by a narrow road and is advertised as a 'haven of tranquillity' in the Welsh countryside. Neighbours say they've had visitors knocking on their door at 1am, trying to find it. Michael Sharp, 72, said people "behave really badly" and that it's the luxury hot tub that seems to "provoke bad behaviour". He said: 'We can hear the noise inside the house, even with the doors closed. "People are coming for a good time. We have had drones flying above our property. "Some people are completely selfish and not community-minded.' Mr Sharp told NorthWalesLive: "It just looks like some huge ocean liner all lit up in the night floating in the middle of the countryside. It's an alien structure, it bears no resemblance to the original barn. "We would just like the thing knocked down." A Gwynedd council spokesperson said: 'No appeal has been registered in relation to the planning application or the enforcement notice for Plas Coch, Penisarwaun.' 11 Karl Jones claimed there had also been 'two troubling incidents' – involving mud thrown over a hedge Credit: WNS 11 The owner has had a back-dated planning bid thrown out Credit: WNS 11 One angry neighbour said: 'I've driven past in the car and visitors have been sprawled out in the nude on the sofa' Credit: WNS 11 Locals say the 18ft glass windows in the barn end make it look like an ocean liner Credit: WNS 11 The Grand-Designs style house's stunning interior Credit: WNS 11 The property was hit with a planning enforcement notice in April Credit: WNS
The Sun
20-05-2025
- The Sun
Nightmare neighbours chuck MUD on Grand Designs-style home & annoy guests – they say it's an ‘eyesore' but they're wrong
NIGHTMARE neighbours have allegedly harassed and thrown mud on a Grand Designs-style home, with residents calling the property an "eyesore" - but the owner claims they're wrong. Karl Jones, the owner of a luxury holiday barn conversion in the Welsh countryside, revealed a village has shunned him after complaints that he turned it into an "alien ocean liner" where guests parade naked. 11 11 11 The property developer is furious with locals who protested about his £300-a-night barn makeover. He claims he was forced to call the police after mud was thrown at the house and guests were allegedly harassed during their countryside breaks in Wales. Villagers have complained their lives are being ruined by 'rowdy visitors playing loud music' and the 'noisy' use of a hot tub. Locals say the 18ft glass windows in the barn end make it look like an ocean liner, not a country barn. Owner Mr Jones claims the accusations are 'unfounded' and 'fabricated' - and some guests say people have been 'trespassing' and 'verbally harassing' them. His barn at Penisarwaun, North Wales, has had a back-dated planning bid thrown out. But Mr Jones blasted: 'As someone born, raised, and still proudly residing in Wales, my intention has always been to celebrate the beauty of this area and our country as a whole. 'It is incredibly disheartening to feel ostracised by the very community I belong to – simply because I sought to create a better future for my children in the wake of the financial challenges brought about by the pandemic.' Mr Jones said he and his team had been 'under the impression' that planning had been previously granted. He added: 'The council and their team visited the site multiple times, signed off on the work being done, they were fully aware of the build we were undertaking. Moment neighbour 'STEALS' 1.9m of next door's garden & tears down their shed in bitter land row while they're on holiday 'We were always under the impression all work was approved. We believed the process had been completed.' The property was hit with a planning enforcement notice in April, ordering it to stop being used as a short-term holiday let, revert to being an annexe of the main house, Plas Coch, and have its windows removed. He claimed there had also been 'two troubling incidents' – involving mud thrown over a hedge, trespassing onto the property and verbal harassment of guests, reported to police on 30 April and 4 May. Mr Jones said he reported another incident to the police while construction work was underway on the barn. Fuming neighbours had taken to the council to complain about "rowdy visitors playing loud music" and noise pollution from a hot tub where nude holidaymakers hang out. When the retrospective planning application was submitted, many villagers objected to it — protesting the 'massive' and 'horrendous' window. 'MISERY' One resident slammed the house as having a "harmful effect on a small, quiet area of rural Wales" and described a loss of privacy for residents. Janet Gayther, 82, whose home is overlooked by the giant window, said she frequently sees guests in their birthday suit - and it's making her life a "misery". "I've seen all sorts - people coming out and getting in the hot tub without clothes. "I've driven past in the car and visitors have been sprawled out in the nude on the sofa. "They also climb in and out of the bath on the mezzanine floor." The great-grandmother added: 'There's the noise when they are having fun and games in the hot tub, having a drink and playing loud music. "It's making my life a misery at times." The elusive lodge can be reached only by a narrow road and is advertised as a 'haven of tranquillity' in the Welsh countryside. Neighbours say they've had visitors knocking on their door at 1am, trying to find it. Michael Sharp, 72, said people "behave really badly" and that it's the luxury hot tub that seems to "provoke bad behaviour". He said: 'We can hear the noise inside the house, even with the doors closed. "People are coming for a good time. We have had drones flying above our property. "Some people are completely selfish and not community-minded.' Mr Sharp told NorthWalesLive: "It just looks like some huge ocean liner all lit up in the night floating in the middle of the countryside. It's an alien structure, it bears no resemblance to the original barn. "We would just like the thing knocked down." A Gwynedd council spokesperson said: 'No appeal has been registered in relation to the planning application or the enforcement notice for Plas Coch, Penisarwaun.' 11 11 11 11 11 11 11
The Sun
09-05-2025
- The Sun
Owner of ‘alien ocean liner' Airbnb LOSES neighbour war over guests parading around naked & ‘horrendous' glass eyesore
THE owner of an "alien ocean liner" has lost a feud with his neighbour over the "horrendous" eyesore and guests parading around naked. A controversial conversion at Penisarwaun, in Gwynedd, Wales, became a point of contention due to it featuring a large window that bares all. 6 6 6 The popular holiday let has a huge 18ft window that was installed without planning permission. Karl made an application for retroactive planning permission which quickly became a hot topic for disgruntled locals. After a slew of complaints from furious neighbours after seeing too many guests in the buff, the owner of Plas Coch Barn, Karl Jones, has been ordered to tear it down. Council officials slapped Karl Jones with an enforcement notice last month after the Airbnb was refused retrospective planning permission. Now he has a month to submit an appeal in the next month or he will be forced to dismantle the flashy pad. Fuming neighbours had taken to the council to complain about "rowdy visitors playing loud music" and noise pollution from a hot tub where nude holidaymakers hang out. When the retroactive planning application was placed, swathes of villagers objected to it - protesting the "massive" and "horrendous" window. One resident slammed the house as having a "harmful effect on a small, quiet area of rural Wales" and described a loss of privacy for residents. They also mentioned congestion, litter and vandalism - issues that come with a popular rental. Councillors also expressed voiced concerns about what would happen if they gave the Airbnb the go-ahead. They believed that allowing someone to build what they want, despite complaints, and get away with planning permission would send the "wrong message." Mr Jones insists that the local's grievances are "exaggerated and were unfounded". Planning officer Keira Sweenie also backed up the Plas Coch Barn by pointing out that the lodging isn't overly large and met policy requirements, arguing there "was not a valid reason to refuse." Janet Gayther, 82, whose home is overlooked by the giant window, said she frequently sees guests in their birthday suit - and it's making her life a "misery". "I've seen all sorts," she told The Sun Online. "People coming out and getting in the hot tub without clothes. "I've driven past in the car and visitors have been sprawled out in the nude on the sofa. "They also climb in and out of the bath on the mezzanine floor." The great gran added: 'There's the noise when they are having fun and games in the hot tub, having a drink and playing loud music. "It's making my life a misery at times. The elusive lodge can be reached only by a narrow road and is advertised as a 'haven of tranquillity' in the Welsh countryside. Neighbours say they've had visitors knocking on their door at 1 am trying to find it. And just a few months ago police were called when a lost couple disturbed the peace with an angry bust-up - seemingly because they were unable to find the accommodation. "People sometimes can't find the place," Iain Burden, 61, said. "If I had a quid for every time I had to direct people, I would be a millionaire.' Visitors have been accused of failing to recycle and leaving locals to pick up armfuls of rubbish. Michael Sharp said people "behave really badly" and that it's the luxury hot tub that seems to "provoke bad behaviour". 'We can hear the noise inside the house, even with the doors closed," the 72-year-old said. "People are coming for a good time. We have had drones flying above our property. "Some people are completely selfish and not community-minded.' Mr Sharp told NorthWalesLive: "It just looks like some huge ocean liner all lit up in the night floating in the middle of the countryside. It's an alien structure, it bears no resemblance to the original barn. "We would just like the thing knocked down. "We accept that not everyone who comes to stay is a nuisance but a lot that do just seem to like loud music and making a lot of noise in hot tubs". He dubbed the ordeal a "total nightmare" and begged the council to follow through with the enforcement notice. In January, the owner was "given the opportunity" to try and resolve some of these complaints. He was also asked to provide a report of how he had planned to alleviate complaints from neighbours - but "no information was submitted." A council spokesperson said: "We can confirm that a letter was sent to residents by Aneurin Mon Parry as the Enforcement Team Leader. "The enforcement notice is in effect and requires full compliance by October 2, 2025. "However, the applicant does still have the right to appeal refused planning application C23/0463/18/LL within six months of the date of decision. "The council will continue to monitor the situation." The Sun has reached out to Cyngor Gwynedd council for a comment. 6 6 6
Wales Online
09-05-2025
- Business
- Wales Online
Owner of luxury Welsh Airbnb blighted by partying 'rowdy visitors' told to turn it back into a home
Owner of luxury Welsh Airbnb blighted by partying 'rowdy visitors' told to turn it back into a home The owner of a luxury converted barn, refused retrospective planning permission, has a month to submit an appeal or face returning the property to its original use. People have complained about the huge windows on the property (Image: Cyngor Gwynedd plans ) The owner of a luxury barn conversion, which was declined retrospective planning permission, faces a deadline in one month to lodge an appeal or return the abode back to its original state. The barn, known as Plas Coch Barn in Penisarwaun, Gwynedd, listed on Airbnb, became a topic of concern among locals who complained that their peace was disrupted by "rowdy visitors playing loud music" and disturbances from the "noisy" use of a hot tub. Cyngor Gwynedd's planning committee dismissed the retrospective application in December, and consequently, owner Karl Jones received an enforcement notice instructing the dismantling of the barn's striking roof to floor window and reverting the rental back to its "ancillary use" accompanying the main house. Plas Coch Barn is bound by an October 2 deadline to adhere to the enforcement notice. Read the biggest stories in Wales first by signing up to our daily newsletter here. A spokesperson for the council said that they are actively 'monitoring' the situation at the property, reports North Wales Live. However, Mr Jones has maintained his stance, previously asserting that the villagers' grievances regarding loud holidaymakers were "exaggerated and were unfounded". Penisarwaun dwellers Mick and Jean Sharp expressed their "very surprised" reaction upon receiving correspondence from the council's planning enforcement officer Aneurin Mon Parry indicating that "no valid appeal has been registered by Planning and Environment Decisions Wales (PEDW) within the prescribed period". Article continues below The letter further stated: "Consequently, the Notice is now in effect and the owner of Plas Coch has until October 2, 2025 to fully comply with the requirements of the Notice itself". The couple also mentioned that the barn conversion had been "very busy" throughout April, Easter, half term and the Bank Holidays. "The problems are also continuing, " they claimed. "Only recently, we had to go round again and politely ask some visitors if they wouldn't mind turning the music down". They were also "concerned" about having to wait six months, until the start of October, before the Council "makes another move". A council spokesperson said: "We can confirm that a letter was sent to residents by Aneurin Mon Parry as the Enforcement Team Leader. "The enforcement notice is in effect and requires full compliance by October 2, 2025. "However, the applicant does still have the right to appeal refused planning application C23/0463/18/LL within six months of the date of decision. "The council will continue to monitor the situation." Article continues below According to the council planning portal C23/0463/18/LL - pertains to a "rejected retrospective application to convert an outbuilding to holiday let". Mr Jones was approached for comment.
