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Living in a Caravan on my own land

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patihan | 21:53 Tue 19th Jun 2007 | Law
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I have recently sold my house and have taken a touring caravan to a field I own that has been in my family for many years. On the land are farm buildings where I have been storing some furniture etc for many years.
I intend to obtain planning permisson for the farm building to be converted into a house whilst I live in the Caravan.
The council have now advised me to leave the land within 28 days and remove all of my possessions from the buildings.
The buildings are my own and so is the land.
The caravan is out of sight of any other building so cannot cause an eyesore and is also a touring caravan not a static version.
Is there anything I can do to stop or avoid this unfair action. Thanks in advance.

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Depends on who owns the nature reserve and what sort of rights are with it, if it is owned by the local council I don't think they would want to sell it.
Thanks for that, I have printed it off and will have a good read of it. Sounds like you've had a nightmare! There is already a barn of steel structure on this land - no concrete base though....would this make a difference to anything?
By having no concrete base this could give the impression that it is not a permanent structure, however I very much doubt a planning inspector would think you could move a steel structure with ease (thats how alot of stables get away without planning, they have them on ski's which means they can move them about a little). How long has the existing steel barn been standing ?? Because if it is longer than 4 years and it hasnt been challenged before by a planning inspector then planning permission is already granted, look at this link to see what I am talking about http://www.planning-a...uk/enforcement1b.htm.

Yeah I have had abit of a nightmare over my situation, the best part was the enforcement officer was on my side, the Councilors however all had to take part in various courses on professional codes of conduct because most of them who sit on the council have broken the rules (by not stating they were neighbours, or had an interest in the land). They even complained when I added stone on my existing stone track, which doesn’t even have any right of ways over it. What they forget is a shed is a structure and needs planning (however stupid), but a van painted bright pink parked on the boundary next to their property does not, and unlike them I don’t have to live there.
I was looking at it on google earth earlier and the barn is on there, those photo's were taken in April 2007. Its huge (75 ft long), there's 2 combined harvesters in it at present. What did you want to use your land for? I think it's all wrong, some of the monstrosities that get planning, and then the ridiculous laws on things such as what you've been through! How come you didn't opt for a few more acres to use the permitted development rights? I've tried to use the link you sent but it's not working!
Sorry I have no idea what happened to that link, here it is again and I hope it works this time

http://www.planning-a....uk/enforcement1b.htm

I didnt opt for more acres, because I have no need to build a huge barn or even wanted to live there, its about 10 acres in total, full of English oak trees and wildlife that I would like to retain. The interest Banks were giving on savings were poor (and still are) so I thought I would just buy some land in the middle of no-where, it has its own stream, private drive way into the wood and a very smart 6ft by 4ft shed which cost more in planning fees to the council than it did to buy. Whats even funnier is I also have 2 acres of land elsewhere in England and that is surround by huge mansion type homes, but with regard to planning nothing is ever said what goes on there.
What I'm not seeing, is do you need planning permission to park the caravan in the first place?
I have 9 acres of land which I use for grazing horses on, I don't live there, it's just 2 fields, I have been having an ongoing battle with the local council for nearly 8 years now and part of this battle is a small touring caravan which I use to store rugs, medicines etc plus it has a toilet and a small horse box, which is smaller than a transit caravan and as I kept refusing to move them as they were both movable, I have had an enforcement notice.
When I asked the council how I needed planning permission for a vehicle, they would not answer me. Their whole attitude is 'do as I say or else'
Anyone have any thoughts on how these movable 'structures' need planning?
The caravan would fall under the Caravan Sites Act and because of this you are unable to store it on your land, unless your caravan falls outside the definitions on what a caravan is. You need permission to store the caravan there for more than 2 days / nights, even taking into account the 28 day rule. When you say a small horse box, do you mean the trailer type or lorry ?? If it is a lorry and taxed, MOTed etc (so you could remove it from site if asked), this would fall outside of the caravan act and therefore wouldnt need Planning. Now if you were to tell the council you had an existing shed on the land for tools etc, and wanted to reinstate that (and in return remove the caravan) would they be happy for that.
Just a few thoughts to add to the already excellent collection that precedes this entry:

The Chapter 7 website really can be useful (as has been said previously) http://www.tlio.org.uk/chapter7 and their homepage http://www.tlio.org.uk/about gives other useful links. I highly recommend buying the DIY planning booklet from them, as you'd be lending support to a very sound organisation with a fascinating history. They're 'not for profit', it costs around £15, and the information it contains was hard won over many years by Simon Fairlie, co-founder of The Tinkers Bubble in Somerset http://www.audacity.org/APO-Sp17a.htm and
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tinker's_Bubble

It's easy to understand why people can get frustrated and annoyed with planners and council officials, and end up using phrases like 'jobsworths', advising people to tell them to 'sod off' etc etc, however it may be worth noting some of Chapter 7's advice - when you deal with the planners, you deal with a very old, patriarchal class-related system that does not appreciate being told what to do, or that its ideas and decisions are wrong or unfair (even if you believe fervently that they are!). If your attitude towards suggest disrespect, you're less likely to get a favourable outcome.

It may be a bitter pill to swallow, but you have to employ deviousness, charm, smarmyness and whatever other psychological tactic/s you may be able to utilise i
Just a few thoughts to add to the already excellent collection that precedes this entry:

The Chapter 7 website really can be useful (as has been said previously) http://www.tlio.org.uk/chapter7 and their homepage http://www.tlio.org.uk/about gives other useful links. I highly recommend buying the DIY planning booklet from them, as you'd be lending support to a very sound organisation with a fascinating history. They're 'not for profit', it costs around £15, and the information it contains was hard won over many years by Simon Fairlie, co-founder of The Tinkers Bubble in Somerset http://www.audacity.org/APO-Sp17a.htm and
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tinker's_Bubble

It's easy to understand why people can get frustrated and annoyed with planners and council officials, and end up using phrases like 'jobsworths', advising people to tell them to 'sod off' etc etc, however it may be worth noting some of Chapter 7's advice - when you deal with the planners, you deal with a very old, patriarchal class-related system that does not appreciate being told what to do, or that its ideas and decisions are wrong or unfair (even if you believe fervently that they are!). If your attitude towards suggest disrespect, you're less likely to get a favourable outcome.

It may be a bitter pill to swallow, but you have to employ deviousness, charm, smarmyness and whatever other psychological tactic/s you may be able to utilise i
(seems I exceeded the max AND got a double entry!) here's the last bit . . .

It may be a bitter pill to swallow, but you have to employ deviousness, charm, smarmyness and whatever other psychological tactic/s you may be able to utilise in order to stand the best chance to get them ON YOUR SIDE.
Try treating them like human beings, even if you don't believe/feel that they are. Be nice to them, ask for their advice if it's appropriate, and maybe you can get closer to what you want {providing, of course, what you want is within reason} with less aggravation?

Isn't there enough animosity in the world already?
I hate this country, people cant do anything without asking for permission. Permission from who? Who the hell do these people think they are, what makes them think this planet is more theirs than it is anyone else's?
Some people would like to live in a caravan on land that is OWNED by themselves, grow their own food, keep livestock, use less power and gas etc etc, yet some idiots in suits say NO. Then they have the cheek to moan about people using too much energy and destroying the planet.... Hello.... Its them destroying the planet by denying good people the right to live life in a good NATURAL manner.
What is best is people who want to live this way should be given every right to as building a caravan uses WAY less materials than building a house, growing your own food and been as self sufficient as possible is a bloody good road to recovery.
I hate the councils, officials, and people who think they can control everything we do, the sooner they are gone, the sooner this planet will return to peace.
We all have to work to rules why not you?
don't even get me started
Yes rules made up by men in suits at the local authority,who brainwash us all "it is for the good of the local area plan" what>not to build houses?and have thousands on the housing register?Yes great local plan..
WE ALL OWN THE EARTH not any governments,,the land should be FREE to all,not sold by scummy eastate agents making quick bucks by sales patter..
good luck to all who suceed. I came across this site whilst looking for a plot with permission already for a caravan. unfortunately they are rare and as I am now a grandmother and nearing 60 my kids tell me not to take the chance. Dont listen to the jobsworths!!! Lifes too short
I own 5 acres with 5 stables in Warwickshire (Agricultural land) being turfed out of my house as my partner died and left it all to her kids (secret will).
So will move a small caravan into one of the stables on the quiet - take one side of stable off move van in and put it back quick before the 'dog walkers' are out and about.
I hope I suceed as cannot afford flat or house rent.
Best of luck anyone else who tries
I own 5 acres with 5 stables in Warwickshire (Agricultural land) being turfed out of my house as my partner died and left it all to her kids (secret will).
So will move a small caravan into one of the stables on the quiet - take one side of stable off move van in and put it back quick before the 'dog walkers' are out and about.
I hope I succeed as cannot afford flat or house rent.
Best of luck anyone else who tries
Good Luck Homer. Hope all goes well for you and you manage to live in peace on your own land. x
Yes - We should all have the human right to live in peace - I hope the government will one day make things easier for disadvantaged people to live on their own land.
You may end up having to put in for planning, so my advice is to try and save a bit of money after you move in just in case they do find out your there. With it being agricultural its harder. Best of luck.

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