A retired couple who want to downsize have been told that they will have to build their new home and then pull part of it down to comply with planning rules.
Ged Faulkner, 66, and his wife Suzie bought a plot of land next to their sprawling family home in the charming Cheshire village of Higher Whitley.
Like a lot of retired couples the Faulkners realised their five bedroom family home was simply too big, particularly after their two children moved out.
The couple bought a plot of land next door where they planned to build a new home with a downstairs bedroom and bathroom.
But after demolishing the existing cottage on the greenbelt site Ged faced a quandary after the local authority offered some unusual planning advice.
Greenbelt rules mean the Faulkners’ new home can only be 10% bigger that the cottage they demolished.
However, they can increase the size of the new home after it is built through permitted development rules. That would mean demolishing part of the new home and building an extension.
Ged, chatting to the Mail from his home deep in the Cheshire countryside, said: ‘So we can build the house we want to live in but will then have to remove a section of the roof and walls. And then re-build it.’
Ged, who worked shifts in the nuclear sector for years, said that Cheshire West and Chester council (CWAC) have adopted a ‘rules is rules’ position so far, and that he finds their position ‘illogical.’
He said: ‘I have been involved in discussions with Cheshire West and Chester council (CWAC) regarding the current ridiculous planning situation.
‘We have planning consent for a replacement dwelling in the green belt But the original dwelling was a very small bungalow and we are limited to a 10% increase in volume.
‘CWAC have not removed our permitted development rights and tell us once built we can significantly increase the size of the property in line with the permitted development rules.
‘CWAC’s position is that we build the property as per the permission, we get it signed off, and then immediately we can demolish the rear roof and rear and side elevation walls to add extensions to create our desired home.’
Ged said the guidance has left his builders a bit baffled.
He said:’ The builders have said they will do the work but they are bit confused. And they have told me all this will cost.’
The Cheshire couple have said they have appealed to a planning boss to intervene in the matter.
Ged said: ‘I have written to the chief planning officer at Cheshire West and Chester as a last ditch attempt to resolve this issue but I’m certainly not optimistic.
‘It now looks like we will have stay within the 10% rule, and then go for an extension. b We want to a downstairs bathroom and bedroom for when we are older. But that will mean pulling down part of the roof and walls. ‘
The couple said they were aware of the trend of applying for retrospective planning permission but did not want to take a chance.
Ged said:’So yes I appreciate a lot of people are applying for retrospective permission but we are not prepared to take that chance.
‘We could be forced to demolish the entire building and that would have significant financial consequences. You are left high and dry.’
A spokesperson for Cheshire West and Chester council said: ‘The Council has a legal duty to determine planning applications in accordance with national and local policies.