A HOLIDAY let property near Wellington has been used as a permanent home in breach of planning conditions for the past seven years.

The misuse of the property continued despite Wellington Without parish councillors querying it in July, 2019.

Planning permission was given shortly before Christmas, 2017, for Highfield Farm, Pleamore Cross, owner Anthony Sprague to change Highfield Barn from ancillary accommodation to a holiday let.

Six months later, Mr Sprague wrote to the then-Taunton Deane Borough Council planning department to say he was moving and had sold the building ‘as a barn only’ to Gillian Harrison and Gaynor Lomas.

Now, Mrs Harrison and Ms Lomas have applied to change the one-bedroom building into a permanent residential home.

Planning agent Dylan Lloyd, of Homz.UK, said the barn had been converted into a holiday let in 2018-19 but was never used for that purpose.

Mr Lloyd said: “Since completion of the works in 2019-20, it has been continuously occupied as a sole residence, during which time the occupier has paid council tax and the building has functioned as an independent dwelling without issue.

“Given the residential use is established, ongoing, and has not resulted in any identifiable harm, the principle of regularising this use is acceptable.

“The proposal aligns with national and local policy objectives supporting the re-use of existing buildings, sustainable rural living, and the provision of additional housing.

“The building remains unchanged from its converted form and continues to reflect the layout established at that time.

“The property sits within its own parcel of land in a rural setting characterised by open fields, dispersed buildings, and associated outbuildings.

“It is physically separate from neighbouring properties and integrates appropriately within the wider countryside context.

“No structural alterations are proposed as part of this application.

“The application seeks only to regularise the established residential use.”