Petition to keep bus couple on their land

A couple face an uncertain future after a bid to live on a double decker bus amid their deer and poultry farm was turned down by the council for a second time.

A petition has been set up backing Brent and Tracy Usher who say they have been living self-sufficiently farming animals including deer and poultry for three years at what’s know as Jen’s Rest at the junction of Mill Gate and Sparkes Road near Whaplode.

But they may be forced to leave the land after South Holland District Council planners threw out a retrospective application because the proposal is in “open countryside” which the council say would normally only be allowed if “proven to be essential for agriculture”.

“No such special need is in play here and no functional or financial need for agriculture has been evidenced,” it says.

The application plan included deer and poultry enclosures, beehives and woodland.

It received letters of support and objection, with Whaplode Parish Council also objecting.

It’s nearly identical to an application refused in August 2017 but after temporary homes were allowed in recent applications in the district, the Ushers resubmitted opting to live in double decker bus.

A planning statement by A J Finch of Moulton Land and Planning In support of the most recent application, claims Mr Usher “being penalised for being honest and self-sufficient.”

Referencing the August 2017 refusal the statement continues: “Since the refusal of planning the applicant has continued to sustain a living by simple means from his land with no borrowings or debt.

“That is his way of life and has been for decades.

“He has nowhere else to reside and does not possess the financial means to acquire permanent property.

“Following the refusal of planning the applicant did enquire of the local housing department the likelihood of them finding him accommodation – the answer was that he would not be eligible for any such assistance.”

The statement also says: “To the frustration of the applicant there have been other planning applications in the district which have at the very least been considered in far more detail before any decision being made and indeed there have been successful applications for similar proposals where applicants have sought to reside on land in the open countryside in temporary accommodation, either caravan or mobile home, with no financial viability justification provided, or indeed requested by the planning authority.”

The application was decided behind closed doors and not at a public planning committee meeting.

The report by the district council’s planning officer David Grant, quoting the authority’s agricultural consultant Sanham Agricultural Planning Ltd, says: “No financial information whatsoever has been provided other than the statement that the applicant proposes to be self-sufficient.

“In conclusion, I continue to advise that there is no agricultural or other rural occupational need for the proposed siting of the temporary dwelling as no evidence of the existing or proposed levels of livestock or crops has been provided within the supporting planning statement to show that there is an essential/functional need for the applicant to live on the site or that the existing or proposed enterprise could sustain the cost of a permanent dwelling in the future.”

A petition entitled Keep Brent and Tracy on their Land had attracted nearly 200 signatures within a few hours of going online on Tuesday.

It was set up by the couple’s friend Amanda Cawley who says her children aged 13 and nine have learned about the wildlife from the couple who were hoping to put on nature sessions for groups in future.

“Brent and Tracy have taught my children about wildlife and they are very close friends,” Amanda told The Voice. “I believe what the council is doing is very disgusting and wrong.

“Brent was hoping that when he got planning permission he was going to do school visits and teach children about the deer, goats, chickens, geese and ducks he has on site. He also has two hides in the woods where you can sit and watch the wildlife.

“Brent believes nature is a beautiful thing.”