Planning inspector dismisses appeal against NFDC’s refusal of mobile home holiday let in Hordle garden

AN appeal against New Forest District Council’s refusal of the retention of a holiday let in a Hordle garden has been dismissed by a planning inspector.

The appellants, of Arnewood Lodge in Everton Road, were issued with enforcement action after it was discovered that a mobile home in their grounds was being used for holiday accommodation.

Documents submitted to the council explained that the mobile home, situated about 70 metres from the main house, had its own parking area and separate access.

The mobile home was installed in 2018 to accommodate the owners’ daughter and family, when the district council agreed it was legally sited as its purpose was incidental to the main dwelling and would not be used as a separate unit of accommodation.

A report by planning inspector Paul Dignan said that since at least July 2021 the mobile home has been used as a holiday let.

He said: “The change of use to provide holiday let accommodation has changed the character of the use of the land, in turn affecting the character of the area.

“This is development requiring planning permission, in

the absence of which the appeal on this ground cannot

succeed.”

The introduction of holiday accommodation use, with frequent turnover of occupants and associated noise and activity, was “likely to adversely affect tranquility” and be “detrimental to the rural character of this area”, he added.

He noted there had been complaints made by neighbours regarding noise.

The district council had imposed a strict 28-day period of compliance but the inspector ruled that this could be extended to six months to accommodate existing bookings.