Following the ruling of planners that it was constructed just like any house on greenfield land, a bogus barn will be destroyed by its owner.
Grandad Gerald Fuller (75) built the stone house on his farm insisting that it be a shelter to his 11 sheep.
Planners claim it’s more than just a barn. It has windows and cavity walls, as well as an upstairs that can be used for residential use rather than his animals.
Fuller was ordered to tear down the “barn” he built on his farm for a year.
“You can picture me upset. Fuller said that the work is easily equivalent to a whole year.
Gerald Fuller, 75 years old, designed the contestable structure in Furnace (near Llanelli), South Wales
Fuller explained that the cavity wall was used to prevent the elements from entering the structure. He said that any single block wall could be soaked and let water in the barn.
Planning discovered Mr Fuller did an unauthorised residential development’ at the farm, after he was granted permission to set up Furnace near Llanelli, South Wales.
While he acknowledges the deviation in his work from the plan application, he claims that the original plan wouldn’t look as good as it does today.
In the 15 years since the original application, Fuller three times applied to place a house there – each time he was rejected.
He added that the council had declared it a greenbelt zone and it was a beautiful spot.
According to him, he chose to build a barn for his 11-pet sheep flock instead.
Mr Fuller has been accused of carrying out unauthorised ‘residential development’ on the site by Carmarthenshire council, who are demanding he tear down the barn
Despite not having service connections, drainage, bathrooms or kitchens, the planning inspectorate is ‘not convinced’ the structure has been erected for agricultural purposes
In February 2021, the Carmarthenshire council issued an enforcement notice to Mr Fuller. His appeal was rejected in September. The deadline has passed for Fuller to demolish the February 2022 building.
He said, “My idea with the barn was for animal feed orhay to be on the upper level, and the bottom section would be used for sheep and horses.”
“A planning inspector arrived and stated that windows should not be placed in barns. I put them in a block. They were still not happy.
“The inspector returned and took another inspector. He stated, “As far our eyes are concerned, it is a house.”
“I don’t understand what is wrong with council, they seem to always be against you.”
In February, the council issued him an enforcement notice requesting that he demolish the structure. His appeal was denied by the planning inspectorate in September.
Fuller said that he would seek advice from a lawyer before February’s deadline for tearing down the structure which he spent over a year creating.
Despite blocking up the windows, Mr Fuller has still not managed to convince the planning inspectorate the building is for his tiny flock of sheep
He explained that the people didn’t appreciate me putting in a cavity wall. According to the weather, a one-block wall will be soggy and let water in the barn.
Fuller, an experienced property developer and wife live in a renovated pump house close to the “barn” – but he says he does not want it for a home.
Although Mr Fuller refused to disclose how much he spent, he said it took a lot planning and time. Now, he plans to get the counsel of a barrister before the Feb. deadline for removing the building.
In its report, the planning inspectorate notes that Mr Fuller argued there were no services connections, drainage or kitchens on the site.
The report states that the method used to construct the building (in particular cavity walls and the placement of windows and doors openings as well as the addition of a complete first floor level and higher eaves) leads me not to believe it’s being built for agricultural purposes.
According to the inspectorate, ‘the addition of a complete first floor would prevent attempts at storing larger farm machinery as it would limit height.
According to the report of the planning inspector, “I’m still not convinced that a cavity wall is required for agricultural purposes.”
Carmarthenshire’s council spokesperson said that the development had been deemed unauthorised by its planning officers. This was confirmed on appeal by the inspectorate of planning. The building will have to be removed and reconstructed to its previous condition. The decision was made clear to Mr Fuller.