Man loses battle over illegal farm flats

A man who built illegal flats inside a barn on his farm has lost his appeal to keep them.

Sean Gorman, 58, owns Severnside Farm in Walham, Gloucester. He was told in July last year that the flats breached planning laws because they were built on agricultural land and in a flood‑risk zone without permission.

Gorman was served an enforcement notice by the city council ordering the removal of the flats, but he appealed to the government's Planning Inspectorate.

Gloucester City Council said it was pleased with the outcome.

At a two‑day inquiry, Gorman argued the enforcement notice had not been properly served and did not take into account his gypsy status - a protected characteristic - but the planning inspector rejected the claim.

Gorman also said the flats had been on the land since 2020 and had been in continuous use for four years.

But the inspector said his evidence was "contradictory", finding there were no tenancy agreements for the flats between July 2021 and 2023.

Mr Gorman now has six months to remove the flats from residential use.

The council said it was pleased the inspector agreed this was a serious breach of planning laws.

A spokesperson added: "Our planning regulations are there to protect our city from unauthorised development and to make sure the city works for everyone."

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