Latest news with #holidaylet
News.com.au
15-05-2025
- Business
- News.com.au
Magical feature lights up whimsical Otways hideaway
The area's famous glow worms aren't the only thing lighting up the night in the Otway Ranges. A whimsical glow-in-the-dark path creates its own man-made sparkle as dusk falls at an enchanting parklike retreat in Beech Forest. The fun feature leads the way to a contemporary self-contained studio, a recent addition to the 2.58ha lifestyle property where you can also indulge in an outdoor bath on the private deck. Charles Stewart, Colac listing agent Josh Lamanna said the contemporary hideaway was a standout feature of 35 Buchanan St, Beech Forest, paving the way for new owners to unlock potential holiday let income. The $650,000 asking price also include a rustic three-bedroom cottage in needs of some TLC. Mr Lamanna said the owners had transformed the gardens at the property, located about 30 minutes from Colac. 'The vendors wanted something unique and if you had seen the grounds before that did a lot of landscaping you would be absolutely blown away,' he said. 'The reason behind the glow-in-the-dark path was they come home late at night because they do a lot of outside work activities in Colac so by the time they get home nine times out of 10 it's dark. 'They wanted something magical to come home to and that's exactly what they have been able to create there.' He said buyers could live in the studio while renovating the main house and then rent the studio out as an Airbnb down the track. Half an hour down the road, a popular holiday cottage business in Barongarook West provides another opportunity to tap into the area's tourism market. Otway Estate Cottages is located on the site of the former Otway Estate winery in Hoveys Rd, neighbouring the Prickly Moses Brewery. Ray White, Colac agent Toby Kent is calling for expressions of interest in the 4.3ha property by May 28. Established vines and a blue dam with a jetty create a scenic backdrop to the three self-contained cottages. All have modern kitchen, wood heaters and decks, with the largest two-bedroom cabin also featuring a dedicated spa room. Mr Kent said it was a picturesque property that was heavily booked on Airbnb. 'Barongarook is like the gateway to the Otways they say so a lot of people stay there and go and explore the Otways and the Great Road Road and use it as a base,' he said. 'They have had a few weddings there where the bridal party stayed on site so there's a few options.' He said a 12.5m by 27.6m commercial shed fitted out with a kitchen, office, bathroom and three-phase power could be used to host more nuptials at the property. 'There is a really nice house site where you get views of the lake plus the trees if someone wanted to do that it's an option as well,' he said.
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
BBC News
07-05-2025
- BBC News
Eaglescliffe holiday let denied after prostitution complaints
Holiday let denied after prostitution complaints 7 minutes ago Share Save Gareth Lightfoot Local Democracy Reporting Service Share Save LDRS Stockton Council refused the plans following a number of complaints over safety Plans to turn a three-bedroom home into a holiday let have been denied after concerns were raised over drug use and prostitution. Six objections were submitted to Stockton Council over the proposals to change the use of the semi-detached house in Eaglescliffe, Stockton-on-Tees, into a short-term holiday rental. Residents have complained over safety, increased noise from the property and possible prostitution, with one objector saying "it would appear that we've had a 'lady of the night' entertaining several men". Cleveland Police confirmed a "number of incidents" had been reported. Objectors also spoke of concerns over parking and traffic issues, management and maintenance, anti-social behaviour and property values. The applicant told the Local Democracy Reporting Service they dispute the claims made by objectors, maintaining only one incident came to police attention. 'Truly worrying' Objectors' referred to "dodgy" people staying at the property and "unsavoury comings and goings", as well as "people hanging out of the upstairs window, smoking cannabis and shouting abuse at passers by" and "police swarming the street". Some of these complaints – which are believed to be disputed – involved suspected sex work and drugs, and police activity including a chase through gardens. One objector added: "Given that there are families with young children and vulnerable adults on this street, it is truly worrying that there appears to be no control over who is staying at this property, and some of them have been very dodgy indeed. "To be clear, there have been some genuinely nice folk stay there but that's the exception, not the rule." A management plan for serviced accommodation was submitted to the council. Planning officers found the development was acceptable in principle, but refused it to guard against harm to the character of the area. The applicant said they still own the property which is currently unoccupied and no longer used as a holiday let. Follow BBC Tees on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram.
