Double-decker couple fall foul of planners

Hopes of living a self-sufficient life are shattered, but council says planning rules have been breached

A COUPLE living without planning permission in a double-decker bus have run foul of district council officials.

For years, Zoe Wilson and partner Chris Webb, who live in a converted, double decker bus, have been forced by planning law to stay on the move in the Lambourn area.

For 12 months from April 2010, they ran a poultry business at Sheepdrove Organic Farm, but say they had to leave before they could prove it would ultimately be a profitable venture.

However, their dream of a self-sufficient lifestyle looked like it might be realised when hard-earned savings and an inheritance enabled them to buy a five acre paddock off the Enborne Road, Newbury.

They kept livestock including a cow, a pig and poultry and grew their own fruit and vegetables, using a small wind turbine for power.

However, on Friday, they received a letter from West Berkshire Council planners which shattered their hopes.

It said: “It is the opinion of the local planning authority that a material change of use of the land and an associated breach of planning is occurring which has been brought about by your use of the land.

“It is my understanding that you have parked/sited a double decked bus upon the land within which you are residing. The land is also being used for domestic ancillary uses which include a satellite dish, numerous chickens and associated shelters, a wind turbine and the parking of non agricultural vehicles.”

It goes on to demand that they cease living there and that they remove the bus, livestock and everything else or face a fine of up to £20,000.

Ms Wilson, a maths and science teacher and Mr Webb, an agricultural worker, have previously refused space on a travellers' site in Reading, claiming that they do not aspire to that lifestyle but rather want to live close to nature without damaging the environment.

Ms Wilson said: “All the local people have been fantastic and very supportive and many have bought our produce. Ideally we would like lifetime permission to pursue our dream and run our small business. We won't be able to do it forever since we're both in our 50s and we would downsize eventually anyway.”

The pair are currently considering their options while the council awaits a response.

West Berkshire Council spokesman Keith Ulyatt said: “The land doesn't have permission for residential use so we have no option but to go through this process. We are trying to negotiate with them so they can move on within the required time and we hope they will be able to do that.

“If not, we will have no choice but to take enforcement action.”