Home / Crime and Justice / Illegal Barn Homes Lose Planning Fight
Illegal Barn Homes Lose Planning Fight
23 Feb
Summary
- Man failed to keep illegal flats built in a farm barn.
- Flats were in an agricultural and flood-risk zone.
- He has six months to remove the flats from residential use.
Sean Gorman, 58, who owns Severnside Farm in Walham, Gloucester, has been unsuccessful in his appeal to retain illegal flats built within a farm barn. The Gloucester City Council had previously issued an enforcement notice ordering the removal of these dwellings, citing breaches of planning laws. These structures were built on agricultural land and situated in a designated flood-risk zone, both without the required authorization.
During a two-day inquiry, Mr. Gorman contended that the enforcement notice was improperly served and also argued that his gypsy status, a protected characteristic, should be considered. However, the planning inspector dismissed these claims. Further evidence presented by Gorman regarding the continuous use of the flats since 2020 was deemed contradictory, as no tenancy agreements were found for the period between July 2021 and 2023.
Consequently, Mr. Gorman has been given a six-month period to end the residential use of the flats. Gloucester City Council expressed satisfaction with the outcome, emphasizing that the inspector's decision validates their stance on serious breaches of planning regulations designed to protect the city from unauthorized development.
