NPA delays decision on second application for wrongly built New Forest home until after judicial review

A DECISION over fresh plans for a controversial home in the New Forest has been deferred by the national park authority until the outcome of a judicial review.

The wrangle over Paysanne at Godshill, near Fordingbridge, began in 2018 when Angela Vickers and husband Ian, who died after the property was built, were granted permission for a new three-bedroom home.

However, the building ended up 1.2 metres longer than agreed, on a different orientation and location, and with unauthorised changes to the roof.

The NPA subsequently served an enforcement notice against the breach, which was appealed, and a public inquiry is due to be held.

As reported in the A&T, significant changes to bring it closer to the original scheme were approved by the planning committee last July, but residents launched legal action, arguing that the modifications have not gone through the right process and a new application should have been made.

Opponents claim the situation had been a waste of public funds and want a judge to make a ruling by way of a judicial review.

A fresh retrospective application has now been submitted to the NPA for permission to keep what is there now.

This was debated at the NPA’s planning committee on Tuesday, when members decided the best course of action was to defer a decision until after the outcome of the judicial review.

The NPA’s executive director for strategy and planning, Steve Avery, told the A&T: “This ‘second’ application proposed to make exactly the same amendments as those approved last July, although this time around the applicant was applying for full planning permission as opposed to the earlier application, which approved plans as a variation to the original 2018 planning permission.

“Having considered the matter very carefully at yesterday’s planning committee meeting it was decided to defer making a decision on this application pending the outcome of the judicial review.”