Our eight-month-old BABY is being forced onto the streets by ‘cruel’ council
A FAMILY with an eight-month-old baby are set to be forced onto the street after being evicted from their home by a cruel council.EXTENSIONS are a great way to improve your home and save money – as building out is often cheaper than moving.




The small home is an add-on to a garage and has two bedrooms with en-suites, which Cameron described as being deceptively big inside.It’s not the first time a planning application has been made for the home, with rejections being made in 2014, 2017, 2020, and 2023.He said the council’s decision was “frustrating”.”Any one consultant who says an appeal will definitely be won should be avoided” said Andrew.
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Southend-on-Sea City Council decided on Wednesday night last week that the Pavilion Drive home they rent doesn’t have the right planning permission.”Finding an affordable home around here is like finding a needle in a haystack.””We’re now homeless essentially, what are the council going to do about that?The council declined planning permission earlier this year when they found people had been likely living at the property for longer than four years – a breach of law.
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Cameron Monk, 22, and partner Amy Reynolds, 22, will be homeless in three months after being ordered to leave their Leigh-on-Sea, Essex, home.Andrew Cann, director of Planning Direct, a planning consultancy based in the East of England, said there are ways to appeal if your initial application for an extension is rejected.
“It’s not doing anyone any favours whatsoever.”The car salesman said their four-year-old was being tested for autism and they would have to find a new school for him to attend.This is a government body independent of your local council, which will check whether the planning authority which refused you was correct to do so.”The Council’s housing solutions team is available to help any residents that need support and advice with their housing situation. “There’s three different departments involved, it’s like the left hand doesn’t know what the right hand is doing.”
The truth is, there is no guarantee to winning your appeal – and you should be wary of any solicitor or consultant that promises you a victory.Cameron Monk
The home once even had a hot tub – but when The Sun visited rubbish had piled up outside the home.Their landlord says he’s had tenants there for six years, with Cameron and Amy living there for the last two of those.A Southend Council spokesperson said the family paying tax on a property did not make lawful.”It’s locked away from everyone, it’s secluded, it’s nice.”There are some challenges when you are looking to appeal.This is sent along with an appeal form to the Planning Inspectorate.Cameron said the council hadn’t thought through the effect its decision would have on his two children – aged four and eight months.They said “Whilst we cannot comment on ongoing planning enforcement cases, we are aware of the family’s circumstances. “They make is sound horrendous, but it’s actually lovely in there.”Take a look around – if other nearby homeowners have made similar changes, the chances are you will win,” said Andrew.
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He described finding an affordable home in the area as “near enough impossible”.He said: “They’re [Southend-on-Sea City Council] going to make a young family homeless.
How to appeal and win if your home extension is rejected
There is normally no fee to submit a planning appeal to the Planning Inspectorate.
He now wants the thousands in council tax they’ve paid to be given back to them.
You must establish that the extension complies with local planning policy and importantly does not harm others.
Another thing to look out for is that your application may have been refused on a technicality or just because of a missing detail.
But any building works can quickly create problems with your neighbours if you don’t stick to the rules.
Business owner Cameron said the council’s decision on his £800 a month two bedroom home was “ludicrous”.
Here’s what you need to know:
The main cost is the fee you’ll need to give a consultant or solicitor to prepare and manage it on your behalf – the amount will depend on the case.
How do you actually appeal?
Southend City Council has a Labour plurality but no overall majority.
In order to appeal, you’ll need to prepare a Statement of Case.
That said, there are some tips that can help you on your way to a win.
Cameron has been left questioning how the council let people live at the property for so long, after accepting council tax and paying benefits to stay-at-home mum Amy.
“If they’ve accepted money for the place, they should refund the money.
How do I win my appeal?
This is a document setting out why you believe the extension should be granted in planning policy terms – an expert can help you with this, but they will charge.
But if an appeal is mishandled and refused this can “blight” the property and you will not get permission in future.
“Sometimes it is worth re-applying with a modified version if the council only wants small changes. A re-application is free within a year of the first refusal,” said Andrew.
Landlord Darren Hawkins said council tax was being paid for all six years that tenants had lived in the property.
We’re now homeless essentially, what are the council going to do about that?
