Hello there can you help/advise us on this, We have always prefered to go camping & enjoy the great out doors so decided 7 years ago to buy a plot of woodland so we could camp whenever we wanted in our own space. Over the years with lots of hard work we have made our land into a beautiful peaceful place to get away from the "norm" each weekend. Three years ago we were offered a mobile home at a low price so we decided to pull it onto our land to make things complete for our camping times. We then were able to stay there at weekends all through the seasons because the caravan has a log burner so winter was not a problem. We now keep chickens & ducks & grow our own veggies & couldnt be happier until a member of the public decided to complain. Bearing in mind we are in a remote part of the essex countryside & not infringing on anyones space we were shocked that an inforcement officer turned up one day & said we would have to apply for planning permission to keep what we own on our own land even though it has been there 3 yr already. We went along with everything they asked, its cost us over £1,200.00 in fees for various demands i.e flood risk assessments etc. Then last week after a year of paperwork & fees the council decided to refuse planning permission & have told us to remove the caravan or they will remove it at our expense! we have the right to appeal but we feel they are just going to say no again. Why are we been persecuted like this when all we want to do is make use of our own land & have a quiet life? Do you know of any way we can beat the council & keep what already belongs to us?.
Thank you for taking the time to read this. We are at break point on this, its heart breaking.
Caz & Alan W.