Forestry workers dwelling.... and that thing called Planning!!

[Justme]

The highways have been out to have a look at my entrance and have told me it is illegal to mount the kerb and use my gate. I have tried to explain to them that I need to be able to enter the wood with a vehicle from time to time. They just say that if I mount the kerb or park on the verge I will be fined. The gate has always been there and goes back into history. On the opposite side of the road a few yards further along they have a entrance to their field and that is allowed

 

Thats interesting.

 

It is only illegal to park on the footpath in London.

 

No other councils have taken the steps needed.

 

I think they are blowing smoke up your ass.

 

Just dont do any damage to the verge.

 

One of our first steps was to apply for an agricultural / forestry entrance way.

[SteveA]

.....sorry, some of those links didn't copy properly. But you get the idea. cheers, Steve

[drinksloe]

I may be wrong here.

 

Is the land that is not forestry agricultural land?

Would it not be easier to stock it and say u have to be there for the livestocks welfare and get ur planning under a secton D.

Possibly easier to argue that stock needs u there more than trees do?

[aspenarb]

I am just trying to get a dropped kerb from the highway to an existing gate to the woodland and the Council are not playing ball. The gateway stands back 8.3 metres from the highway and the Council won't even let me cross to the gateway with a vehicle.

 

The last person I know that tried to do this the above board way had to cough up just north of 12k by the time all concerned had a piece of the pie. It included costs for environmental studies, easements,legals,council app, highways and some ridiculous charge from an approved and crazily over insured hole in the road gang to install and tarmac the entrance. Also an eighteen month bun fight with the parish council who wanted to put the boot in. Just do it.

 

Bob

[Countryboy]

Thank you for the information. The entrance to my wood is on a A road although recently a dual carriage has been built next to it on the other side of the wood. The original road only takes local traffic. The road is straight with a good view in both directions. I first contacted the local Council and they informed me that County Highways would first have to give permission. If highways agreed then I would have to apply for planning permission with the local Council. However highways asked me to send details e.g. Photos , maps etc. One of the highways officers came out to look and they have written to inform me that they will not allow me a dropped kerb because it is a A road although very quiet now. If I take them to an appeal and lose the case I would have to pay their costs which I cannot afford on pension. They also put in the letter that it is illegal to cross or park on the verge and any damage caused would be charged to me. I don't know what to try next. The local scouts use the wood from time to time so it would be good to get their vehicles off the road as well and much safer

[Countryboy]

I wish I had just done it and pleaded ignorant but it is too late for that now. There must be some way of doing it but not sure what without costing loads of money

[SteveA]

I may be wrong here.

 

Is the land that is not forestry agricultural land?

Would it not be easier to stock it and say u have to be there for the livestocks welfare and get ur planning under a secton D.

Possibly easier to argue that stock needs u there more than trees do?

 

Yeah, that's right....we have about 34 ish acres, half woodland and half agriculture.

Things like lambing are considered as an essential need to be on site so that could do something towards it...

 

Charcoal burning is also considered as an essential element to live on site.

 

But none of that probably means diddly squat when your farm is on the edge of a National Park.... they just say no to everything (pretty much).

cheers, steve

[openspaceman]

I wish I had just done it and pleaded ignorant but it is too late for that now. There must be some way of doing it but not sure what without costing loads of money

 

We're in much the same position with our field entrance, they can't stop us using it but won't allow an extension to the dropped kerb to avoid lorries running over the verge. Highways authority can grant the permission themselves in which case no planning permission is required.

[Peat]

That's the first I've heard that you cannot be a seasonal worker on your own land. Where did you read about/ or got told about that?... I've seen nothing in any policies that mention it.

 

Never read it anywhere, can't remember who told me... I have done a bit of searching and never found anything either.

 

So I don't see why you can't live there in a 'caravan' (movable timber frame bungalow), as a seasonal forestry worker? Its seasonal because you aren't there for the whole year because you... go on holiday, work offsite for a couple of weeks or whathaveyou, during which time the caravan is 'stored' on the land. Then after 10 years you get lawful use.

 

But then if it was that easy wouldn't this be the standard route we all go down?

[drinksloe]

Yeah, that's right....we have about 34 ish acres, half woodland and half agriculture.

Things like lambing are considered as an essential need to be on site so that could do something towards it...

 

Charcoal burning is also considered as an essential element to live on site.

 

But none of that probably means diddly squat when your farm is on the edge of a National Park.... they just say no to everything (pretty much).

cheers, steve

 

 

Possibly combining the 2 might help.

 

Mind i read an article written by someone that used to sit on the board/council of his local NP, he said it was a disgrace hardly any board members were actually 'locals' or even lived in the park.

Would allow anything touristy related but turned down everything from 'locals' actually trying to live and work in the area they had grew up in

 

Good luck with it