An Isle of Wight couple — who were ordered to leave their holiday home after using it as a permanent residence — have submitted another bid to stay there, now on a temporary basis.
The pair were found to have breached planning conditions when they began living in the converted stable block on Appleford Lane, near Whitwell, in 2018.
They moved back to the Island after selling their house in France.
Can only be used as a holiday home
A planning condition, imposed by the Isle of Wight council, means the building can only be used as a holiday home, because of its isolated and unsustainable location.
In September 2021, the council took action against the couple, telling them they had to leave the property.
Planning Inspectorate agreed with council
This decision was appealed to the government’s Planning Inspectorate, but the body agreed with the council, saying there would be an unjustified loss of an Island holiday unit if the couple were to stay.
They were told they had to leave the converted barn by November of this year.
Stuck between a ‘rock and a hard place’
Now, the couple argue they are stuck between a ‘rock and a hard place’ and need to stay in the converted barn until it is sold, so they can use the funds to buy another property.
Permission is now being sought from the Isle of Wight council to allow them to stay there for the next three years, or until the barn has been sold, whichever is sooner.
Mitigating a range of unique personal circumstances
Planning documents submitted on behalf of the couple say, it would enable them to stay there to mitigate a range of unique personal circumstances and give enough time for the dwelling to be sold.
Plans say the initial temporary residence was not “based on a purposeful desire to breach” conditions.
No interest in purchase
To date, the documents say, no interest has been found for the holiday home so a new marketing strategy has been created.
The property is now on the market with Fine and Country, along with 11.6 acres, for £800,000 although still restricted to being a holiday home.
View the plans
You can view the plans, 23/02073/FUL, on the Isle of Wight Council’s planning register.
The public consultation runs until 3rd January 2024.
This article is from the BBC’s LDRS (Local Democracy Reporter Service) scheme, which News OnTheWight is taking part in. Some alterations and additions may have been made by OnTheWight. Ed
