Council's Controversial Decision Forces Closure of Couple's £85-a-night Garden Holiday Haven
In a small village near Norfolk, a frustrated couple, Mark Short and his partner Lawrence Wolfe, are packing up their dreams due to a seemingly ridiculous council decision. They transformed a former carpenter's shed into a luxurious holiday retreat, complete with a double bed, shower room, and even a patio area, but their 55ft by 35ft driveway is apparently too small for guests to turn their cars around.
The idyllic little cottage was a labor of love, costing them £16,000. Over the course of a year, they welcomed 120 guests, none of whom had problems or complained – not even the Met police officer who stayed there! The driveway was large enough for their cars, and they had no issues with visibility pulling out onto the road.
Despite the pristine record, North Norfolk District Council insisted that the driveway's size and visibility were inadequate. They even went so far as to demand that the couple spend an additional £10,000 on 'nutrient neutrality works' to prevent water pollution.
The couple, living in a tranquil spot, moved to the area three years ago seeking a slower pace of life. They purchased Lilac Cottage as the perfect location for their holiday rental business, which would also provide an income for Mark. He completed much of the work on the lodge himself, but thousands were spent on running water and electricity to the two-person cabin before they started taking guests in 2023.
Reception was overwhelmingly positive, with guests praising the comfortable bed, lovely cabin, and delicious homemade breakfasts served in the main house. One guest even noted, "the cabin was warm and the bed is out of this world," while another commented on the "excellent hosts" and "great location."
The council's decision left the couple with no choice but to abandon their dream and return to Milton Keynes. They will never recoup the £26,000 they would have made from the holiday let, charging £85 a night.
"It's just a little bit barmy," said Mr. Short, describing the ruling as "health and safety gone mad." Despite having two cars and ample space in the driveway, the council refused to back down.
As frustrating as the situation may seem, it's essential to remember that planning regulations can vary greatly between areas. It's not uncommon for councils to have specific standards regarding driveway size, visibility, and parking. While it's unfortunate that this couple's dream had to come to an end, it might serve as a reminder for prospective holiday let owners to always check local restrictions before starting a project.
- Mark Short, an entrepreneur in the business of small-business, and his partner Lawrence Wolfe face a challenging situation with their holiday retreat in a small village near Norfolk.
- Their luxurious holiday retreat, a transformed former carpenter's shed, has served 120 guests who had no complaints about the small-business.
- The North Norfolk District Council, however, has reported issues with the 55ft by 35ft driveway, questioning its size and visibility.
- This seemingly trivial issue led to a demand for 'nutrient neutrality works' from the council, resulting in an additional financial burden of £10,000.
- Despite the pristine reviews and a successful business, the couple found themselves packing up their dreams due to the council's decision.
- A spokeswoman from the council, in response, emphasized the importance of adhering to planning regulations, which can vary significantly across different areas. She advises future holiday let owners to always check local restrictions before starting a project.
