Planners have refused to allow Barry Dodd to convert Rose Cottage and Primrose Cottage, Havelet, into one family home. He has taken his case to the new planning tribunal. (Picture by Steve Sarre, 0558626)

THE first planning appeal to come before the tribunal set up under the new planning law heard yesterday from a man wishing to convert two cottages into one home.

Soundtrack owner Barry Dodd inherited Rose and Primrose Cottages in Havelet from his mother in 1997. These had been turned into four bedsits, which he was given permission to return to two cottages.

Originally he lived in one and leased the other to a family. When the family left, he decided to convert the cottages into one by knocking down a wall. He had no idea that planning permission was required and was taken to court.

In 2001, he applied for permission to convert the houses into one, which was refused. An amended application was sent in a year later, which was again rejected. He continued applying and receiving further rejections, the last being in 2009.

Director of planning control services Jim Rowles said they had consulted Environmental Health and Building Control over the property.

‘The issues are not so compelling that they would justify change of use,’ said Mr Rowles. The Building Control officer felt that the space was adequate in the two dwellings.

‘We didn’t feel that the Environmental Health concerns stack up overwhelmingly,’ he said.

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