Former councillor allowed to keep caravan

A former councillor and pub landlord has been told he can keep living in a caravan for two years that was sited without planning permission.

South Holland District Council’s Planning Committee went against the officer’s recommendation of refusal for the structure at Irby House off Millgate in Whaplode.

Development on what was formerly a derelict greenhouse had previously been rejected five times, one of which was confirmed following an appeal, and most recently in May 2021 when permission for a temporary static caravan was turned down due to planning officers deciding it was in an unsustainable location.

They recommended the same again for Mr Williams’ application with the site being classed as in open countryside.

But while councillors recognised it was contrary to the South and East Lincolnshire Local Plan they argued the harm to the land should not outweigh the permission so long as the property was dismantled within two years.

Mr Williams told the committee that he’d been left “devastated” after being ousted from The Punchbowl in 2020 after 22 years.

“We accept the location of our caravan is not wholly in accordance with planning policy, however, the council is asked to take into account our personal circumstances,” Mr Williams said.
“In March 2020 our occupation came to an abrupt end when the owners of The Punchbowl decided not to renew our lease.
“We were devastated at the prospect of not only losing the family home, but our income as well, however we viewed this as the beginning of a new adventure rather than the end of the world.
“Then the pandemic hit and any plans to start a new business was put on hold.
“The caravan was offered by an acquaintance as a stop gap to get our lives back on track. This gave us the opportunity to start a small refrigerator trailer hire business.
“The trailers are doing very well, and in two years’ time, a more welcome move back to bricks and mortar is envisaged.
“At the end of this time the caravan will be removed and in all honesty, we’re so much looking forward to living in a brick surround again.”
Coun Alan Beale led the call to go against officers recommendation and pass the application: “Yes, it’s out of the area, but there are other examples within Whaplode which were granted despite being out of the permitted area.”
Not all councillors agreed, with Coun Chris Brewis lambasting Coun Beale for indicating Whaplode Parish Council were in favour of the development despite officially offering no comment.
Coun Rodney Grocock said: “It doesn’t have to be fields of flowers and cows, it’s still in the open countryside, therefore I won’t be supporting Coun Beale’s movement.”
While councillors were minded that there had been objections, many stated they were happy it would only be for two years.
Coun Andrew Woolf said: “Now we’ve come up with a solution that, I think, keeps everybody happy.”