A WOKINGHAM resident who converted a barn and stables into rental accommodation has lost an appeal.
Mark Flaherty, of Coppid Hill House, Barkham Road, was granted planning permission by Wokingham Borough Council in 2011 to create an equestrian barn and stables, but the council said that an investigation last year by its planning enforcement team found that it was being let to tenants.
It then served a planning enforcement notice, requiring that the building revert back to equestrian use and a subsequent appeal, submitted by the resident, was dismissed by the Planning Inspectorate on Friday, June 21.
As a result, Flaherty has been ordered by the planning inspectorate to remove all internal fittings and fixtures and return the building back to an equestrian barn within three months of the appeal findings. He has also been ordered to pay the council’s appeal costs which have yet to be confirmed.
Councillor Wayne Smith, executive member for planning and enforcement at Wokingham Borough Council, said: “Our planning enforcement team here at the council are vigilant and thorough when it comes to investigating and upholding planning approvals on buildings across the borough.
“This is an example of a resident who has made a number of attempts to obtain additional housing on this land and to alter the use of the building for which he was originally granted planning permission.
“By going ahead without permission means he is in breach of the planning consent and we imposed a planning enforcement notice on him to return the building to its original use.”
He added: “We will continue to make rigorous checks on planning permissions granted across the borough to ensure regulations are met and upheld.”
