A couple from Pembrokeshire can finally breathe a sigh of relief after receiving official approval to remain in the timber lodge they have called home for nearly 27 years, despite having lived there without planning permission. Graham and Margaret Lavis, whose unusual dwelling arrived in two parts on the back of a lorry almost three decades ago, have now been granted a certificate of lawfulness by the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority.
The couple first settled in their single-storey lodge, Windermere, at Simpson Cross near Haverfordwest in November 1998. Over the years, their timber home has been extended and adapted, evolving from a simple lodge into a more permanent residence, with the additions of a kitchen and an extra bedroom. Remarkably, the Lavis family have persisted in their occupancy without any formal planning permission throughout this time.
In an effort to regularise their situation and avoid any risk of enforcement action, the Lavises, represented by Hayston Developments & Planning Ltd, submitted an application for a certificate of lawfulness. This application process allows homeowners to provide evidence that a structure has been continuously occupied or used for a sufficient length of time, making it immune to planning enforcement.
According to supporting documents, the timber lodge was not only occupied by the couple since late 1998, but also underwent significant construction works. A veranda was added the same year as their arrival, and further modifications including a kitchen in the mid-2000s and a new bedroom later on further established the dwelling’s character as a permanent home rather than a mobile or temporary construction. This distinction was a key aspect of their case for securing the lawful use certificate.
The Lavises’ application was bolstered by statements from witnesses who confirmed their ongoing occupancy, as well as records of the building works conducted over the years. The application also referenced a neighbouring property, The Stables, which is owned by the same family and was granted a similar certificate back in 2005, helping to set a clear precedent for Windermere.
When assessing the evidence, council officers reviewed not only submitted paperwork and testimonies but also utilised Google Earth imagery to verify the lodge’s existence and history of development on the site. In their formal report, officers concluded that the information provided was “sufficient to establish that the existing use is lawful”, pointing to the substantial and enduring nature of the timber lodge.
Upon successful review, the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority agreed to award the much sought-after certificate, giving the Lavises peace of mind and security in the home they have cherished for so long. This outcome grants the property legal status as a permanent residence, shielding it from potential planning enforcement in the future.
The case highlights a not uncommon challenge in rural Wales and elsewhere, where unconventional homes sometimes fall outside standard planning processes. The certificate of lawfulness route is often pursued by residents who can demonstrate long-term, unbroken occupancy, effectively allowing them to regularise their circumstances after the fact.
For Graham and Margaret Lavis, the decision marks the end of a lengthy period of uncertainty and provides a definitive resolution to their long-running planning situation. Their perseverance, along with thorough documentation and support from the local planning professional community, has ensured their right to remain in their timber-clad sanctuary for the years to come.
The story of the Lavises reflects broader trends in rural housing and planning, where balancing conservation, tradition, and personal circumstances continues to pose complex questions for residents and local authorities. As planning rules evolve and more cases like this reach public attention, they may influence policy and practice in Wales and beyond.