Planning delays have 'ruined' decade of man's life

Cobnash Farm was purchased as part of a development project almost 10 years ago

A man who bought a grade II listed flour mill in Herefordshire, with plans to convert it into holiday accommodation, said a string of planning delays had "ruined" a decade of his life.

Brian Watkins bought Cobnash Farm, between Kingsland and Leominster, with his wife Helen as a development project almost 10 years ago.

Despite being able to renovate the house at the site without complications, gaining planning permission to convert the former flour mill and other buildings had caused "problem after problem," he said.

Herefordshire Council has not yet responded to a request for comment.

Mr Watkins, a retired electrical contractor, said the long delays to the scheme were "ridiculous" and had left him an "angry old man".

A planning application to permit the work in 2019 remains undetermined, while a concurrent bid for listed building consent was approved, but has since lapsed.

Mr Watkins said he had struggled to "get hold of anyone" and in the last 10 years, he had only had one meeting with a councillor officer on-site.

"I was then told if I rang up again, I would be denied permission," he said.

The issue of nutrient neutrality has also delayed approval of the scheme.

Herefordshire councillor Dan Hurcomb said the case was "a shameful reflection on our council and the planning process".

"Delays in responding and, more recently, the phosphate moratorium have contributed to a state of limbo which has caused unnecessary stress and cost to Mr Watkins," he said.

This news was gathered by the Local Democracy Reporting Service which covers councils and other public service organisations.