RETROSPECTIVE change of use has been applied for to put two gypsy caravans for holiday use together with a building and polytunnels on woodland west of Aldercombe Barton, Kilkhampton.

The application has been submitted as a result of an enforcement officer making the landowner aware of the planning breaches. There was concern that she was intending to live on site but this has been denied. Since being evicted from her home she has found a long-term rental in the village so she can visit the site daily to work and build her business.

The applicant purchased the land six years ago and says it was not made clear at the sale that the land had a woodland use only. When purchased there were the remains of an old cow building. A new building has been put on the footprint using some of the original external walls.

The application says that the owner was not aware when building her business that she needed any planning permission. She has also put up a polytunnel to grow vegetables and herbs some of which she sells to the public from the entrance of the site and at local markets. To supplement her income she purchased two gypsy caravans which are moveable around the site and she has let these out at ‘slightly above the 28 days allowed’.

The new building is used for the applicant to create mosaics for sale at quieter times of year and is where she home schools her children. The building has no mains electricity or water supply.