The latest bid to return a controversial Carnoustie static caravan to a town garden has failed.
It comes just two weeks after Angus Council towed away the one-time Airbnb holiday home.
The direct action by the council followed an incident which led to the closure of the east coast rail line last month.
Trains were halted after a wall was knocked down during an attempt to unlawfully drag the caravan back into the garden at Ireland Street.
Its owner, Tony Lindsay, has been involved in a long-running battle with council planning officials over the three-bed static.
But his latest attempt to secure planning permission for the stripped-out caravan has now been rejected.
He was seeking a certificate of lawful use to use it for storage and as a family snug.
Carnoustie caravan timeline
- September 2023: Investigation launched over caravan in Ireland Street garden. No action.
- January 2024: Further complaints received.
- July 2024: Enforcement notice issued by Angus Council.
- October 2024: Appeal to Scottish Government rejected and enforcement upheld.
- October 2024: Application to use caravan as short-term let accommodation refused by Angus Council officials.
- March 2025: Planning appeal rejected by Angus Council review body.
- March 2025: Caravan removed from garden and parked on Ireland Street.
- May 22: East coast rail services disrupted after wall damaged during attempt to bring caravan back into garden.
- June 2: Direct action taken to remove caravan.
- June 13: Certificate of lawful use application refused by Angus Council.
Latest planning bid declared ‘unlawful’
In the latest ruling on the long-running saga, council planning officer Stephanie Porter said Mr Lindsay’s proposal did not benefit from permitted development rights.
“The removal of wheels from the static caravan does not prevent it being moved from one place to another, and it could be lifted onto the back of a trailer with relative ease,” said the handling report.
“The disconnecting of services and appliances, and the removal of furniture from the caravan would not mean it is no longer designed for, or capable of human habitation.”
“It would be a relatively easy task to reattach the caravan wheels, reconnect it to services and the appliances still within the caravan, and put furniture back into it,” the report added.
“The proposed development is not lawful within the meaning of…the Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act 1997.”
Mr Lindsay said: “The council has completely misinterpreted the proposal.
“My application was for a structure, not a caravan.”
He is yet to decide on whether to appeal the latest ruling, taken under delegated powers.
Mr Lindsay said he is also awaiting a bill for the cost of removing the caravan. He initially tried to prevent that last month by blocking the static in with his car.
“I don’t know what my next steps are,” he said.
Conversation