Locals fury as ‘eyesore’ caravan turns street into a scrapyard

Locals in a Welsh town are furious after a road was left in a dire state by a caravan owner. The neighbours on a street in Llanidloes claimed the caravan turned the area into an “eyesore”.

Locals called on the council to have the motorhome removed from Steven Bullock’s property. His vehicle has been pictured on the driveway with bins and other rubbish surrounding it.

One resident, Susan Hinds, sent a letter to the council saying: “The caravan is dilapidated and the area around it looks like a scrap yard and is an eyesore.”

Council officials informed Mr Bullock in August that he must stop using the van as a residential dwelling without planning permission.

They gave him nine months to comply, but he challenged the order and appealed it.

He argued that he had lived on the site for more than 10 years, meaning enforcement could not be carried out legally.

But a report from planning inspector Richard Jenkins concluded that there was “no documentary evidence” to support Mr Bullock’s argument.

Mr Bullock’s appeal was eventually rejected. He was ordered to stop living in the caravan, but it was allowed to stay on the driveway.

Mr Jenkins added: “The council was subsequently advised that the precise wording of the notice would not in fact require the cessation of the use of the caravan as a separate and independent residential dwelling but rather requires, the cessation of the use of the caravan for residential purposes more generally.

“Whilst the difference in wording may appear subtle, it would have distinctly different implications.”

The wording has been changed by the council meaning the notice is back in force.