Log cabin must go, family told (From Chard & Ilminster News)

Log cabin must go, family told

8:17am Wednesday 8th November 2006

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A WAMBROOK family face an uncertain future after they were told to demolish a log cabin next to their family home.

As reported by the News, the Hutchison family, of Wildways House, built the cabin to accommodate Rob and Lin Hutchison in spring, 2005.

Rob and Lin moved to a mobile home near Wildways House, owned by Barry and Pat Hutchison, after Rob's sister Clare died of leukaemia.

Clare left her parents in charge of her three children, and Rob and Lin moved to the family home to help take care of them.

But their troubles started when they were refused retrospective planning permission for the cabin by South Somerset District Council because it contravened planning regulations.

Planners also refused permission for them to live in the mobile home at the site.

The district council then ordered the cabin to be demolished, and the Hutchisons then appealed against the planning decisions and enforcement orders.

This week a Government planning inspector dismissed their appeal and ordered the family to demolish the cabin within months.

There was some reprieve for the family as the inspector allowed Rob and Lin Hutchison to continue living in the mobile home for two years.

In his report the inspector stated: "I consider that the appeals building is a highly intrusive structure which seriously detracts from the character of the open countryside in this area.

"The log-style dwelling house as an independently occupied dwelling would be seriously harmful to this part of the Blackdown Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty."

In relation to the mobile home the report stated: "The evidence about the family's personal circumstances provides a compelling justification for creating a 'breathing space' during which they are able to resolve their current accommodation requirements, including, if they wish, a possible planning application for a further residential extension to Wildways House."

Rob Hutchison declined to comment on the issue when contacted by the News.

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