5 days ago
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.
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