Outrage as local council chairman wins planning approval to build ‘£1million’ six-bedroom home on protected-beauty spot overlooking beach in Cornwall
- Rame Protection Group are bringing a High Court challenge against Chris Wilton
- He got planning permission on land near Whitsand Bay near Plymouth, Cornwall
- Farmer Wilton, 46, was granted rights to make an ‘agricultural worker’s dwelling’
- But group claim the development is ‘certainly not a normal agricultural dwelling’
Conservationists are taking a parish council chairman to court over building a house in an area of outstanding natural beauty.
Rame Protection Group are bringing a High Court challenge against Chris Wilton after he got permission on land overlooking Whitsand Bay near Plymouth, Cornwall.
Farmer Mr Wilton, 46, was granted rights to make an ‘agricultural worker’s dwelling’ on the area which is rarely allowed to be built on.
But the group claim a house that could be six bedrooms, three bathrooms and with a double garage is ‘certainly not a normal agricultural dwelling’.
Rame Protection Group are bringing a High Court challenge against Chris Wilton (pictured) after he got permission on land overlooking Whitsand Bay near Plymouth, Cornwall
Farmer Mr Wilton, 46, was granted rights to make an ‘agricultural worker’s dwelling’ on the area which is rarely allowed to be built on
It has launched an £11,000 legal challenge thanks to 250 benefactors including a visitor from Canada, according to the Times.
Earlier this week a High Court judge ruled there were grounds for a judicial review into the case.
Rame Protection Group claim Cornwall Council had not ensured Mr Wilton’s house was built as his development proposed.
Councillors had voted in favour of the building by seven votes over six. But the officer for Rame Head area of outstanding natural beauty rejected it.
The principal planning officer also refused the plans due to the impact it would have on the land.
Building is only permitted on open countryside in the county in ‘special circumstances’, with lodgings for a farmer being allowed.
Councillors had voted in favour of the building by seven votes over six. But the officer for Rame Head area of outstanding natural beauty (pictured) rejected it
The group claim a house that could be six bedrooms, three bathrooms and with a double garage is ‘certainly not a normal agricultural dwelling’
Rame Protection Group said: ‘If this is allowed, there will be nothing to stop any farmer who owns a plot of land in a beauty spot using this case as a precedent to secure permission to build in any of Cornwall’s beautiful locations, regardless of protective landscape and environmental legislation.’
The house is expected to cost about £120,000 to erect yet Rame Protection Group say it will be worth £1million.
The campaigners claim Mr Wilton was treated with ‘favouritism’ as the parish council had not had a public meeting before backing the plans.
Earlier this week a High Court judge ruled there were grounds for a judicial review into the case
The house is expected to cost about £120,000 to erect yet Rame Protection Group say it will be worth £1million
But Mr Wilton said they were acting partly out of envy, adding: ‘Unfortunately it stems from jealousy… the location has lovely views.’
He accused the group of being motivated by him voting against a plan for the parish council to call a climate emergency.
Maker with Rame council said it ‘reached an unbiased decision on the application as the councillors felt the impact to the AONB was minimal’.
Cornwall Council said their verdict will be ‘robustly defended’.