saveasteading Posted December 22, 2021 Share Posted December 22, 2021 I know everyone is interested in planning refusals and tough rulings. I hadn't seen this before so is probably new news. Highlands house with no planning permission has to be removed. I have cut and pasted this from the Mail website so you don't have to go in there and turn off all the ads. An American businesswoman who built a £200,000 eco-home in the Scottish Highlands has been ordered to tear it down after breaching strict planning controls. Developer Eve Wilder, from Oregon, had the wooden property constructed on the banks of Loch Migdale in Sutherland before putting it up for sale on the property market. Described as the 'ideal' Highland getaway, the one-bedroom eco-home was built to the 'highest standard' and every material used was 'non-toxic', according to a sales brochure for the property. However Highland Council has now ordered Ms Wilder to have the building demolished within four months after the 'unauthorised development was carried out without the knowledge or permission of the local planning authority'. The eco-home was put up for sale by the developer before being removed from the property market when the demolition row emerged. +5 The £200,000 eco-home (exterior pictured) was constructed on the banks of Loch Migdale in Sutherland, Scotland +5 The property's owner Eve Wilder, from Oregon, has now been ordered to demolish the site within four months. Pictured: The interior of the property The council have also said the development affects the natural scenic beauty of the Dornoch Firth. A council spokesperson said: 'This unauthorised development was carried out without the knowledge or permission of the local planning authority. 'The planning authority believe that the unauthorised development was completed whilst the appellant was residing in the United States of America, therefore it can be reasonably expected that the development be removed as there are no guarantees that the appellant will return to the UK and therefore the unauthorised development would remain in situ for an unknown period. 'That being said, the planning authority are keen to have this matter resolved and would be open to the appellant providing a detailed plan of the timescale and works to be completed for the removal of the development as required by the enforcement notice.' Ms Wilder was initially told she would need to take down the one-bedroomed property within three months but after appealing the council timeframe she has now been granted four months. +5 The eco-home is described as the 'ideal' Highland getaway and every material used is 'non-toxic', according to a sales brochure for the property +5 The council said the development affects the natural scenic beauty of the Dornoch Firth and construction was 'carried out without the knowledge or permission of the local planning authority' +5 The one-bedroomed property in the Scottish Highlands will now need to be take down within four months She also claimed the issue could be resolved by altering plans and seeking retrospective permission for the house. An appeal letter on her behalf read: 'It is considered that the requirements of the notice exceed what is necessary to remedy any breach of planning control or indeed any injury to both immediate and wider surrounding amenity caused by that breach. 'In this regard, the site property could be physically amended in design terms to meet the policy design requirements of the planning authority and, as a consequence, such matters could potentially be resolved through a retrospective planning application as opposed to serving a notice requiring total demolition. 'Given the appellant's residence, it is considered that it is unreasonable to expect the appellant to comply with the terms of the notice within a three month period and falls short of what should reasonably be allowed. 'The appellant would suggest that a six month period would be more appropriate given the logistics of instructing and managing such an operation at distance.' Government reporter Steve Field said: 'I uphold the enforcement notice but allow the appeal to the extent that I vary the terms of the notice by changing the time period for compliance to four months. 'I have considered all the other matters raised but there are none which would lead me to alter my conclusions.' Unfortunately it is necessary to do into the daily mail website and turn off all their avertising but her it is: https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-10328871/American-businesswoman-built-200-000-eco-home-Highlands-ordered-tear-down.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ProDave Posted December 22, 2021 Share Posted December 22, 2021 I know that one. I drove past it in late summer on my way to do another job up that way. But I didn't know it had been built without PP. There is another one brewing up close to that. Opposite the house I was working on (finishing an extension that is now signed off as complete) someone has set up what can best be described as a "shanty town" in a paddock, where he has sited a static caravan that he is living in, together with a collection of sheds, workshops and other buildings. So I expect that one to be subject to enforcement action soon, but I guess being told to remove a collection of tatty sheds and caravans won't make the front page of the DM. Loch Migdale is a lovely place to go for a walk. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joe90 Posted December 22, 2021 Share Posted December 22, 2021 (edited) No excuse for breaking the law, it has to go otherwise a pressident will be set. Edited December 22, 2021 by joe90 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
saveasteading Posted December 22, 2021 Author Share Posted December 22, 2021 I wonder how many people and companies have been involved with this, but who have said nothing. Agents, lawyers, builders. Who sold the land and then 'didn't notice'? It appears to be a kit set on timber baulks so perhaps no founds and can be removed or even sold on. Then nature will reclaim the road. Had a quick look for the sales info but can't find any . Again, didn't the agent ask any questions? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ProDave Posted December 22, 2021 Share Posted December 22, 2021 The crazy thing is, this is in an area with very low density scattered housing, and there is a fair chance it would have actually got PP had he applied for it. but I guess now it has been built without, it's removal has to be enforced so as not to set a precedent. I also guess by building it on timber bearers he thought it might be classed as a portable building, but that does not avoid PP, just building control, but as a 2 storey house it would fail that as well. Someone has wasted an awful lot of money, either through ignorance, or arrogance? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Iceverge Posted December 22, 2021 Share Posted December 22, 2021 https://www.primelocation.com/for-sale/details/photos/59720670/ It’d be a shame to demolish it if it might actually have gotten planning permission. l quite like it and goodness knows theres plenty of people looking for housing. Some kind of financial penalty on the sale price would be enough. However, the council are quite within their rights to pick it out as an example. Avoiding all correct permits and selling up without ever occupying is cheeky. Maybe they should compulsory purchase it cheaply and give it to the shanty town occupant. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Jones Posted December 23, 2021 Share Posted December 23, 2021 good, it looks like shed it needs to go. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dpmiller Posted December 23, 2021 Share Posted December 23, 2021 did it escape BC inspection too then? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteamyTea Posted December 23, 2021 Share Posted December 23, 2021 I used to make log saunas, it looks like one of them. just torch it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ProDave Posted December 23, 2021 Share Posted December 23, 2021 From the estate agents particulars: "Building project for sale. Due to unforeseen circumstances the current owner has been forced to pass on this unique opportunity to build a home set in approximately 0.8 acres, in a sheltered plot close to Loch Migdale. The plot is surrounded by mature woodland in a picturesque location. It comes with planning in principle (19/00212/pip), however full planning permission and building warrants are required and the existing wooden structure will need to either be altered or removed. This offers an exciting opportunity for someone looking to build a new home in one of the most picturesque parts of Scotland and we are delighted to have been asked to bring this opportunity to the market." "General Information: Services: Mains Water & Electric are available but not connected. No septic tank has been installed " So I was right in my assumption that it would get planning. Just what was the owner thinking? It had planning in principle. All he had to do was apply for full planning with the final house design, and then a building warrant. but instead he just built this wooden building with no planning or building warrant, and has not connected it to any services. The owner knows how to waste money. No way is it worth £150K as a plot. It might be worth that if you could keep and complete the existing building. But it seems the wrong building for the plot. I have not read the PIP and any restrictions it has, but I am pretty sure you could have built a normal size 2 or 3 bedroom house. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ProDave Posted December 23, 2021 Share Posted December 23, 2021 If you are looking for a plot in that area, this one caught my eye https://www.hspc.co.uk/Building-Site-For-Sale-Plot-and-Croft-3-Easter-Kilmchalmag-Ardgay-IV24-3DP 28 acre owner occupied croft with PIP for house all for £49K Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Russell griffiths Posted December 23, 2021 Share Posted December 23, 2021 I would make her knock it down because it looks shite. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
markc Posted December 23, 2021 Share Posted December 23, 2021 1 hour ago, ProDave said: If you are looking for a plot in that area, this one caught my eye https://www.hspc.co.uk/Building-Site-For-Sale-Plot-and-Croft-3-Easter-Kilmchalmag-Ardgay-IV24-3DP 28 acre owner occupied croft with PIP for house all for £49K Omg! Think I need to be looking around Scotland for a plot instead of Yorkshire Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ProDave Posted December 23, 2021 Share Posted December 23, 2021 1 minute ago, markc said: Omg! Think I need to be looking around Scotland for a plot instead of Yorkshire Yes, round these parts you should be able to get a good plot for about £50K, that is what we paid for ours. There are of course plots, particularly closer to Inverness, with higher asking prices. But move half an hour outside the city and you get good prices. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ProDave Posted December 23, 2021 Share Posted December 23, 2021 An interesting parallel to this one, is near us someone bought a plot with PIP a few years ago. so far he has done nothing with it, other than erect a Yurt, and has been living in that for a few years now. I have not heard of any enforcement action about that site. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roger440 Posted December 23, 2021 Share Posted December 23, 2021 1 hour ago, markc said: Omg! Think I need to be looking around Scotland for a plot instead of Yorkshire Indeed. Fortunately, the chances of allowing a new build with a 3000 sqft outbuilding are slim to non existent. But scotland, chief mammy aside, is looking more appealing as the weeks and years roll by. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
saveasteading Posted December 23, 2021 Author Share Posted December 23, 2021 There are planning applications and long term outline plans for many thousands of houses around Inverness (population 50,000). I asked who was going to be buying them, and the answer came: 'English'. I don't doubt it as the cash benefit in selling the tired 3 bed semi in the SE and buying the same new is hundreds of thousands. Plus you get to live in a much friendlier area....and the countryside...and..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteamyTea Posted December 23, 2021 Share Posted December 23, 2021 2 minutes ago, saveasteading said: Plus you get to live in a much friendlier area Not when the English get there. Many English people move down here, most soon move back. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gone West Posted December 23, 2021 Share Posted December 23, 2021 2 hours ago, SteamyTea said: Not when the English get there. Many English people move down here, most soon move back. Are you staying put? I overheard a woman in the local post office, when I lived in East Kent, say that she had moved back from Cornwall because it rained too much. Must have been a waste of money to move 300 miles for a year or so and then move back. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joe90 Posted December 23, 2021 Share Posted December 23, 2021 2 hours ago, SteamyTea said: Many English people move down here, most soon move back. I am staying put ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
saveasteading Posted December 23, 2021 Author Share Posted December 23, 2021 7 minutes ago, Gone West said: it rained too much What a surprise that must have been The opposite presumption tends to apply re Inverness. The rainfall is "low" at 750mm p/a. Hang on I shouldn't be encouraging people. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ProDave Posted December 23, 2021 Share Posted December 23, 2021 16 minutes ago, saveasteading said: Hang on I shouldn't be encouraging people. Most go back after encountering the midges. One season is enough for those soft southerners. Re rainfall. What i like here is it rarely rains for long. I still have memories of Oxfordshire winters when the rain was lashing against the windows and it didn't stop for days on end. My BIL was surprised how much it rained when he moved to Wales. He should have asked me first, I have many memories of soggy camping holidays. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ToughButterCup Posted December 23, 2021 Share Posted December 23, 2021 Good grief. A prime example of someone using a large bank balance as a substitute for thought. I bet there's a good chance Eve Wilder will not even notice the transaction in her monthly bank statement. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ProDave Posted December 23, 2021 Share Posted December 23, 2021 Who is this Eve Wilder? you speak as if she is a well known rich person. I have clearly led a sheltered life, I have never heard of her. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gone West Posted December 23, 2021 Share Posted December 23, 2021 1 hour ago, saveasteading said: What a surprise that must have been The opposite presumption tends to apply re Inverness. The rainfall is "low" at 750mm p/a. Hang on I shouldn't be encouraging people. At Faversham the average annual rainfall is 675mm but I much prefer Cornwall to the South East and won't be moving back. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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