A family have lost their bid to keep an 11m caravan in their cottage garden.
The caravan has been used by Dina Lams since she came to Scotland with her son Zen to live with her daughter Carina Roberts at Kirkton of Auchterhouse, north-west of Dundee.
Angus Council ruled it had to be removed because it was in breach of planning laws. The family took their case to the Scottish Government’s planning appeals unit, with their lawyers saying there was not enough room in the cottage for Ms Lams.
But they have now learned that the council’s decision has been upheld by appeals reporter Ronald Jackson.
He said the caravan was “very substantial” and had been connected to the cottage’s water and electricity services. A timber ramp had also been built for access.
“I have no hesitation in concluding that the siting of the caravan in this location is intended to be of long-term duration,” Mr Jackson reported. That meant there had been a change of use of the site, from garden ground to a residence a “clear breach” of planning controls.
He added, “The caravan is only some two metres or thereby from the boundary fence of the neighbouring property. It sits above ground level and has windows overlooking the rear garden of that property.”
Mr Jackson’s decision restarts the enforcement action, giving the family six months to remove the caravan.
A tearful Mrs Roberts had previously told The Courier how having to remove the caravan would destroy her hopes of keeping the family together.