Enforcement Action

RETROSPECTIVE planning permission has been refused for a barn in Llangadog converted into accommodation without consent.

Paul Davies, of Little Dene, Llanwrda, had started converting the barn at Maesglas into living accommodation and holiday sub lets before his original planning application for permission to do so had been considered. It was subsequently refused last December on the grounds that the proposal did not represent an acceptable conversion.

The committee decided that the extent of the reconstruction work undertaken/proposed demonstrated that the original building was not structurally sound and able to accommodate the proposed residential and holiday use without extensive rebuilding and alteration, which had resulted in the loss of the original architectural character and appearance of the original structure. The reconstruction was considered to be an inappropriate form of development in the open countryside.

Two days later Carmarthenshire County Council started enforcement action against Mr Davies and as a resulted he then resubmitted the application for permission for the work retrospectively and this was turned down at yesterday’s meeting of the planning committee.

The committee decided that on balance, there were no material planning considerations to justify a departure from the aims of the policies to safeguard the open countryside from inappropriate development and the proposal was tantamount to the provision of a new dwelling and a new holiday unit in the open countryside for which no special need has been demonstrated.

Planning enforcement / monitoring officer Kevin Jones said: “Mr Davies had originally applied for planning permission to convert his barn at Maesglas, Llangadog, but proceeded to demolish the building and rebuild it rather than wait for the outcome of the planning application.”

The decision to ‘convert’ or ‘rebuild’ a barn comes under different policies laid out within the Carmarthenshire Unitary Development Plan adopted July 2006.

As a result of the unauthorised works Mr Davies was served with a planning enforcement notice requiring the removal of all internal walls, floors, windows, door openings and revert the building back to its pre-improved state.

As Mr Davies decided to ignore the requests of the local planning authority he was then served with a Stop Notice that requires all works to cease immediately. To not comply with the requests of a stop notice a fine can be imposed of up to £20,000.

Mr Davies has submitted an appeal to the Welsh Planning Inspectorate against the requirements of the enforcement notice and an independent decision will be made by them in due course.

Executive board member for environmental and public protection Cllr Jim Jones said: “In this case the owner has shown a flagrant disregard towards planning law and the local planning authority will investigate all breaches of planning control.

“The end outcome could result in prosecution or works carried out in default to rectify the breach of planning control.”