Latest news with #SouthCambridgeshireDistrictCouncil
The Independent
21-05-2025
- Business
- The Independent
Couple told to demolish £1m home they claimed would be ‘horse semen lab'
A couple has been told to demolish their £1m home after they lied to the council and said it was going to be a 'horse semen laboratory'. Jeremy Zielinski and his wife Elaine were given permission to build a ' stallion semen centre ' with a small upstairs flat in 2014 in Great Abington, Cambridgeshire. But Mr and Mrs Zielinski built a 'typical home from the off' equipped with an island breakfast bar, TVs, sofas and bedrooms, the planning inspectorate ruled. The two-storey building was set to have a reception, office, kitchenette, lecture laboratory, processing laboratory and staff changing room on the ground floor. Despite the property looking the same as the plans, the inside was very different with 'little evidence' the couple's 'stallion semen business' ever got going. Inspector Chris Peston said that the couple had sold their original house on the site and moved into this new home - called Valentine Stables. South Cambridgeshire District Council told the pair to knock the home down in July 2023, but they appealed the decision. The planning inspectorate ruled in favour of the council, and said demolition was proportionate. The council said the case showed the importance of 'adhering to the specific uses and conditions that justify development in rural areas' to protect the countryside. Mr Peston said: 'No laboratory has been installed, no research or stored equipment associated with the business is apparent, either on the photographs from 2022 or at the time of my visit. 'Upstairs, where the staff accommodation was intended to be, there are two bedrooms, in the locations shown on the approved plans, and a living area/lounge equipped with a sofa and television. 'However, no kitchen appears to have been constructed on the upper floor. In other words, the living space is clearly spread over the two floors, as would be the case in a typical house.' Mr Zielinski claimed the businesses never got started due to the Covid pandemic. However, Mr Peston found only one £44 transaction for 'laboratory fees' for a horse named Dublin. He said there was no proof the analysis was carried out at the Cambridgeshire home and said it was unlikely it ever was due to the absence of testing facilities. Cllr Dr Tumi Hawkins, the lead cabinet member for planning at South Cambridgeshire district council, said: 'We welcome the inspector's clear decision, which supports our commitment to upholding planning policies in our local plan and the neighbourhood plan designed to protect our countryside.' The house must be knocked down, and all waste material removed, by 6 May next year.
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- Yahoo
Demolition order for 'horse lab' built as a home
A property owner has been told to demolish a stable converted into a home instead of a facility to analyse horse semen and house workers. Planners described the two-storey, two-bedroom house near Great Abington, Cambridgeshire, as a "flagrant breach of planning policy". Permission was granted in 2014 to build a replacement stable block and a horse laboratory, with a small upstairs flat linked to the lab use. Council planners said while the outside of the building looked like the approved plans, the inside was solely a residential home. A planning inspector has ordered the house to be knocked down by 6 May 2026. South Cambridgeshire District Council issued an enforcement notice in July 2023 requiring demolition of the property, which the owner appealed against. However, the Planning Inspectorate dismissed the appeal, saying the house was "decidedly residential". An inspector who visited the site in January said: "No laboratory has been installed, no research or stored equipment associated with the business is apparent, either on the photographs from 2022 or at the time of my visit." The ground floor had a kitchen, island breakfast bar and home furnishings instead of a horse semen collection and analysis business. Upstairs, where there was meant to be a self-contained living space with a kitchen, there was no such kitchen. Tumi Hawkins, South Cambridgeshire District Council's lead cabinet member for planning, welcomed the decision. "This case shows the importance of adhering to the specific uses and conditions that justify development in rural areas," she said. The inspector said it would be necessary to knock the house down, and that keeping the building but stopping people from living there alone would not be enough. Follow Cambridgeshire news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X. Plans to replace office block named after rebel New homes on meadow approved despite objections City centre plans refined after public feedback Greater Cambridge Shared Planning
BBC News
16-05-2025
- BBC News
Demolition order for 'horse lab' built as Cambridgeshire home
A property owner has been told to demolish a stable converted into a home instead of a facility to analyse horse semen and house described the two-storey, two-bedroom house near Great Abington, Cambridgeshire, as a "flagrant breach of planning policy".Permission was granted in 2014 to build a replacement stable block and a horse laboratory, with a small upstairs flat linked to the lab use. Council planners said while the outside of the building looked like the approved plans, the inside was solely a residential home.A planning inspector has ordered the house to be knocked down by 6 May 2026. 'Decidedly residential' South Cambridgeshire District Council issued an enforcement notice in July 2023 requiring demolition of the property, which the owner appealed the Planning Inspectorate dismissed the appeal, saying the house was "decidedly residential".An inspector who visited the site in January said: "No laboratory has been installed, no research or stored equipment associated with the business is apparent, either on the photographs from 2022 or at the time of my visit."The ground floor had a kitchen, island breakfast bar and home furnishings instead of a horse semen collection and analysis where there was meant to be a self-contained living space with a kitchen, there was no such Hawkins, South Cambridgeshire District Council's lead cabinet member for planning, welcomed the decision."This case shows the importance of adhering to the specific uses and conditions that justify development in rural areas," she inspector said it would be necessary to knock the house down, and that keeping the building but stopping people from living there alone would not be enough. Follow Cambridgeshire news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
Yahoo
07-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Court order bans more caravans at site of fire
A court order banning more caravans and mobile homes being added to a site has been put in place after several were destroyed by a fire. The blaze spread to 11 caravans as well as stables, outbuildings and vehicles at The Laurels in Fen Road on the outskirts of Cambridge on 20 April. South Cambridgeshire District Council said The Laurels only had planning permission for seven pitches. The High Court injunction was obtained on Friday, a spokesperson said, and adding more caravans would pose a "public safety risk". ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement The council said planning permission was granted specifically for seven pitches to be used by people from the Gypsy and traveller communities. "However, the green belt site has been used recently for a much greater number of caravans - some of which were being used by people who are not from the Gypsy and traveller community," they said. "As well as breaking planning rules, the potential replacement of the unauthorised caravans would again pose a significant fire risk." The authority, which shares its planning services with Cambridge City Council, said it was "assessing the most appropriate approach" for the units that remain at the site, but that it was illegal to add more. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement South Cambridgeshire District Council's lead member for housing, Liberal Democract John Batchelor, said the council "continues to offer free advice and support to people displaced from the site" after the fire. He said council staff "always assess whether anyone facing homelessness needs a place to stay for a short time". The injunction runs until 1 May 2026. Follow Cambridgeshire news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X. Related internet links
BBC News
07-05-2025
- General
- BBC News
Court order blocks expansion of Cambridge caravan park after fire
Court order bans more caravans at site of fire 9 minutes ago Share Save Joanna Taylor BBC News, Cambridgeshire Share Save JOHN SUTTON A fire broke out at The Laurels caravan park in Cambridge last month A court order banning more caravans and mobile homes being added to a site has been put in place after several were destroyed by a fire. The blaze spread to 11 caravans as well as stables, outbuildings and vehicles at The Laurels in Fen Road on the outskirts of Cambridge on 20 April. South Cambridgeshire District Council said The Laurels only had planning permission for seven pitches. The High Court injunction was obtained on Friday, a spokesperson said, and adding more caravans would pose a "public safety risk". The council said planning permission was granted specifically for seven pitches to be used by people from the Gypsy and traveller communities. "However, the green belt site has been used recently for a much greater number of caravans - some of which were being used by people who are not from the Gypsy and traveller community," they said. "As well as breaking planning rules, the potential replacement of the unauthorised caravans would again pose a significant fire risk." JOANNE ASHMAN About 45 firefighters responded to the blaze in Fen Road last month The authority, which shares its planning services with Cambridge City Council, said it was "assessing the most appropriate approach" for the units that remain at the site, but that it was illegal to add more. South Cambridgeshire District Council's lead member for housing, Liberal Democract John Batchelor, said the council "continues to offer free advice and support to people displaced from the site" after the fire. He said council staff "always assess whether anyone facing homelessness needs a place to stay for a short time". The injunction runs until 1 May 2026. Follow Cambridgeshire news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
