We’re furious after bungling council let neighbours KEEP their 2 secret ‘party’ homes – they were going to demolish them

RESIDENTS are furious after the local council let their neighbours keep two secret "party houses".

Wealthy landowner John Sugden built the controversial properties - which council planners demanded be destroyed.

However, in a U-turn which has now angered locals even more, John has won the right to keep the developments on the site of a former plant nursery.

The wealthy landowner and his wife Carol Ann were recently given the go ahead by Charnwood Borough Council after submitting a “favourable” retrospective plan.

The couple from Newtown Linford, Leicestershire failed to seek planning consent and were ordered unanimously by council members to rip up the cabin-style homes after being issued with "formal enforcement action.”

But after losing the first round of their battle the determined Sugdens finally put in a plan to keep the properties.

Next door neighbours Terry and Sarah Smith describe them as “party houses” for use by the couple, their family and friends and which they fear will turn into Airbnb rentals.

Civil servant Sarah told The Sun Online today: “We are so disappointed. The council has gone against its own decision. It’s crazy.

“They can now keep the two chalet style houses they had already built without permission but they have to change and replace the large decking area around the outside.”

Sarah, 50, added: “The buildings are out of character for Charnwood Forest and impact on our lovely home Brook Cottage which we moved in to five years ago.

“One of the outbuildings on the land is going to be turned into an extension to one of the existing chalets giving it an extra bedroom and a sauna.

“Before we know it all the derelict buildings will end up as new homes."

They previously complained to the council about noise, lack of privacy and obstruction which they said had caused "considerable stress.”

Sarah’s company director partner Terry Smith, 54, is also fuming by the planning authority’s U-turn, saying : “We only found out permission had been granted when I called the council, and said ‘You are joking!’ 

“They should not have been given approval and the council should have kept to its original unanimous decision.

"When more building work start to demolish the decking and built an extension it will be a nightmare.

"We're not being NIMBY (not in my back yard), we’re being realistic.

"In time these places in the heart of the forest could be rented out which would be dreadful.

"They will become Airbnb's."

CABIN FEVER

Charnwood Borough Council states it has recently approved Mr and Mrs Sugden’s “change of use from a plant nursery to residential use” involving “conversion, extension and demolition of buildings” with installation of a decking area, hardstanding and landscaping".

It says: “It grants permission for the development, part retrospective, subject to certain conditions and reasons."

It adds that the existing exterior lighting, raised decking and gravel area next to one cabin conversion must be removed within six months of the grant of this planning permission “in the interests of retaining the original character and appearance of the site".

The development must not be occupied "until such time as the parking and turning facilities have been implemented in accordance with the site plan".

The green light for the Sugdens, who live two miles away, comes just months after their already done project was turned down.

In August last year planners voted wholeheartedly they demolish the “party” cabins.

The owners, who run a development company, had failed to seek planning permission.

Locals had accused the couple of hosting loud parties and having bonfires at the remote spot and complained about loss of privacy and being overlooked by CCTV cameras.

Mr Sugden - accompanied by an agent - had told the planning committee in Lougborough, Leics, their family and friends had been using the site for four years as a social retreat.

He said that he had bought the former Ulverscroft Grange Nursery and surrounding land in October 2017.

They began converting the buildings and created a large deck area outside the main house.

The couple also built a second home.

Mr Sugden insisted: "They are not dwellings, they are leisure cabins.

"They are small modest buildings and they are well screened."

He added: “I don’t see how they can affect anyone in any shape or form."

BUILDINGS ARE CAUSING 'HARM TO COUNTRYSIDE'

The property owner told how he and his family occasionally used the premises and his wife also tended the bees on site.

But planners voted unanimously in favour of "formal enforcement action".

They insisted demolition action had to be taken to stop more illegal homes popping up on the land and "sprawling all over the site” which had no boundaries to curtail the garden.

At the meeting an incensed Sarah Smith, fully supporting officers’ recommendations to take enforcement action, told the meeting there was “a serious concern.”

She said of the Sugdens, said: “They purchased the land with a clear goal in mind, to develop a residential property without seeking appropriate consent and set future precedent for development and sale.

"Despite being informed by the council that permission was required and work should stop, they continued to develop the site and chose to ignore the request."

She said the unauthorised buildings caused “further harm to the countryside,” adding: “The site is in an undisturbed area of Charnwood Regional Park and the National Forest adjacent to ancient woodland with an abundance of wildlife.

"It is clear from the photographs that the dilapidated structures were no longer buildings that were capable of conversion.

"Only a few bricks remained holding up an asbestos roof and this has been rebuilt with four new walls and additional structural support.

"This is not a conversion; it is tantamount to a rebuild.”

She urged: “Do not let Mr and Mrs Sugden disregard authority. 

"We all have to abide by laws and regulations. Mr and Mrs Sugden should be no different.”

Carol Ann Sugden, who jointly battled with her husband John for  retrospective planning consent for two hideaway “party” homes, said today: ‘We’re pleased permission has been granted.”

She said the process had “dragged on” and said some claims made against them by neighbours living by the cabins were “rubbish".