🚫 Shed Dreams Dashed in Monmouthshire 🚫
Lyndon Hawkins, a homeowner in Penperlleni, had his hopes dashed when he attempted to transform his massive garden shed into two holiday lets. After converting the outbuilding in 2020, he envisioned it as a unique getaway for tourists. However, local planners weren’t on board with the idea and rejected his proposal earlier this year.
Determined not to give up, Hawkins took his case to Planning and Environment Decisions Wales (PEDW) with substantial evidence of an outbuilding dating back 70 years on his land. Despite his efforts, including showing Google Street View snaps, the appeal was turned down by inspector Zoe Baxter. 🏡
Why the rejection? The council highlighted their policy that demands buildings must have been used for their original purpose for a substantial time before being considered for conversion. Unfortunately for Hawkins, his shed was too new, raising concerns it didn’t meet these criteria. Additionally, he faced issues with unclear plans for a private drainage system, which needs to manage waste effectively without harming the rivers Usk and Wye. 🚧
Baxter clarified that whilst there was no suggestion Hawkins was trying to bypass planning restrictions, the policy ensures new buildings aren’t quickly switched to uses not usually permitted in the countryside. Hawkins’ shed was deemed too young at just five years, and still serving as a workshop and storage when visited.
A dream of quaint Welsh shed holidays remains just that for the moment! 🌿