A musician who decided to build a wheelchair-accessible recording studio in Wiltshire, despite failing to obtain the necessary planning permission, has claimed that he needs “a miracle” to protect it from demolition.
Nick Allen was originally given permission by planning officers at Wiltshire Council to rebuild a storage barn in Holt near Bradford on Avon.
However, because he then converted it into a studio, changing its designated use in the process, planning enforcement officers from the council decided that Mr Allen broke planning policy.
Wiltshire Council has made it clear that it intends to prosecute if he does not demolish the building in order to comply with planning legislation.
Mr Allen said: “I believe my application wasn’t checked properly…
“There was no guidance. I think it should stay because demolishing it doesn’t benefit anybody.
“I’ve got to start knocking it down and if I don’t I’ll get a criminal record.”
Mr Allen, who is a wheelchair user, claimed that he spent all his money on having the studio built in line with his access needs and therefore cannot afford to have it demolished.
He stated that hiring a professional to carry out the work would cost him “between £15,000 and £20,000”.
However, both the Planning Inspectorate and the High Court have supported the demolition order from Wiltshire Council, which is one of the largest Local Planning Authorities in the UK and handles approximately 8,000-10,000 planning applications every year.
People are being reminded that it is crucial to get full planning permission for all building developments, and to ensure that the plans are followed without variation or interpretation, to protect against legal repercussions.