Discussion
This will be quite a long one, so be prepared...
I live in a rural area, single track roads, farms, farmers, horses etc etc. A couple of years ago a local farm was purchased by a haulier and turned into a hub/depot. The vehicles in question are HGV rigid units with an additional trailer at the end - they are used to transport concrete, some of which is now manufactured on site at the farm.
The owner never applied for planning consent for the change of use or expansions to the farm yard area at the time, and after a year of back and forth submitted planning retrospectively. This was refused because it's totally inappropriate to have HGVs that are about 6" narrower than the lanes going up and down making it unsafe for everyone else. (let alone trying to turn a farm in to an HGV hub)
Over the intervening period there have been appeals, visits by the appeal officer etc. The net result of this was that the applicant should cease all operations and return the site back to a farm - as purchased.
Enforcement action has been delayed time and time again, there is a Crown Court appearance due as the magistrate deciced this required escalation, but this date seems to move a lot.
Recently planning was put in to extend the yard area again, this was granted at an open "Area" session earlier this week. (On the basis that by the letter of the legislation it could not be legally opposed)
All this in spite of the appeal officers report stating that no further applications should be allowed.
Concurrent to the planning fun and games the applicant and his family are living the "PH Director" standard to the full; fast cars, drink driving convictions and excpetional levels of manly intimidation and stupid antics towards the locals who have openly opposed him.
Since the Area meeting this week they have now taken to running the Mustang and RRS SVR up and down the lanes late at night, stopping outside the other farm houses and cottages, dropping the clutch and generally being annoying.
What really frustrates is that these people have zero consideration or respect for planning law, the local communities or anyone save themselves. If you meet them on the lanes then you either get in the ditch or get written off.
So, what would you do next? I have no faith in the authorities ability to enforce compliance, the track record of the last 3 and half years backs this up.
Thanks for your thoughts etc.
I live in a rural area, single track roads, farms, farmers, horses etc etc. A couple of years ago a local farm was purchased by a haulier and turned into a hub/depot. The vehicles in question are HGV rigid units with an additional trailer at the end - they are used to transport concrete, some of which is now manufactured on site at the farm.
The owner never applied for planning consent for the change of use or expansions to the farm yard area at the time, and after a year of back and forth submitted planning retrospectively. This was refused because it's totally inappropriate to have HGVs that are about 6" narrower than the lanes going up and down making it unsafe for everyone else. (let alone trying to turn a farm in to an HGV hub)
Over the intervening period there have been appeals, visits by the appeal officer etc. The net result of this was that the applicant should cease all operations and return the site back to a farm - as purchased.
Enforcement action has been delayed time and time again, there is a Crown Court appearance due as the magistrate deciced this required escalation, but this date seems to move a lot.
Recently planning was put in to extend the yard area again, this was granted at an open "Area" session earlier this week. (On the basis that by the letter of the legislation it could not be legally opposed)
All this in spite of the appeal officers report stating that no further applications should be allowed.
Concurrent to the planning fun and games the applicant and his family are living the "PH Director" standard to the full; fast cars, drink driving convictions and excpetional levels of manly intimidation and stupid antics towards the locals who have openly opposed him.
Since the Area meeting this week they have now taken to running the Mustang and RRS SVR up and down the lanes late at night, stopping outside the other farm houses and cottages, dropping the clutch and generally being annoying.
What really frustrates is that these people have zero consideration or respect for planning law, the local communities or anyone save themselves. If you meet them on the lanes then you either get in the ditch or get written off.
So, what would you do next? I have no faith in the authorities ability to enforce compliance, the track record of the last 3 and half years backs this up.
Thanks for your thoughts etc.
You’ve said it yourself, there’s been 3 years of inaction.
If it’s causing you this much stress the logical answer is to move. Stressing out over things you can’t influence or control is a recipe for a miserable life.
Either that or you have to accept that it is what it is and some people know how to work the system and don’t care how it affects others.
If it’s causing you this much stress the logical answer is to move. Stressing out over things you can’t influence or control is a recipe for a miserable life.
Either that or you have to accept that it is what it is and some people know how to work the system and don’t care how it affects others.
rallycross said:
Get an old Toyota Land Cruiser and next time they try and run you off the road put them in the wall, or a ditch, or a tree.
The running off the road is usally done in one of these:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZuItqojMvmc
So not sure a Landcruiser would cut it...
As for moving, I could - but that would be a real blow. Moved here because we love it, and still do.
BrettMRC said:
Since the Area meeting this week they have now taken to running the Mustang and RRS SVR up and down the lanes late at night, stopping outside the other farm houses and cottages, dropping the clutch and generally being annoying.
Isn't this what S59 is meant for?? Get onto your local BiB, and then MP.
BrettMRC said:
rallycross said:
Get an old Toyota Land Cruiser and next time they try and run you off the road put them in the wall, or a ditch, or a tree.
The running off the road is usally done in one of these:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZuItqojMvmc
So not sure a Landcruiser would cut it...
As for moving, I could - but that would be a real blow. Moved here because we love it, and still do.
1) Get yourself a "H" licence.
2) Get yourself one of these: https://www.milweb.net/webvert/a4376/97394
3) Write on the front of it: COME AND HAVE A GO IF YOU THINK YOU'RE HARD ENOUGH!
4) Go for a drive!
A500leroy said:
Get yourself a few insured sheds and park them in such a way to make access difficult for trucks.
That's what I was thinking - along with refusing to reverse when you meet them in a lane - just get out and walk off. Reversing a rigid with a trailer would be very interesting... (it sounds like they'd drag your vehicle away from the other side though, so a shed would be a good idea...)
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