Illegal mobile home removed from Hopwood

A MOBILE home has been removed from greenbelt land after it was illegally put up more than a year ago.

The unauthorised building appeared off Stonehouse Lane, Hopwood, in November 2011, sparking complaints from residents living nearby.

Officers from Bromsgrove District Council went out to check the site and confirmed there was no planning permission for the property.

A planning enforcement process ensued despite the owner claiming he did not need permission and that the building was only used for animal husbandry, such as storing feed and housing hand washing facilities.

However, when officers took a closer look they saw it was actually kitted out with bedrooms, an en-suite, kitchen and a lounge.

A planning contravention notice was issued to the owner who still persisted with his argument.

In April last year an Enforcement Notice was sent out.

The owner made an appeal which was dismissed by an inspector in December following another visit to the building. It has now been removed.

Kit Taylor, responsible for planning at Bromsgrove District Council, said: "I’m pleased we have achieved the outcome that residents of Hopwood wanted.

"The structure had no right to be there.

"Planning enforcement is a complex system with various checks and balances and appeals and it takes time and some tenacity, and the residents have had to be patient.

"But in the end, the efforts of the enforcement officers have ensured the law has come out on top."

Anyone who suspects a breach of planning rules should contact Bromsgrove District Council at the 'Planning Enforcement' section at www.bromsgrove.gov.uk or by writing to Development Control Enforcement, Bromsgrove District Council, Burcot Lane, Bromsgrove, B60 1AA.

Residents should include an exact location of the issue and the harm being caused. Details will be kept confidential.

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