Man, 80, in planning dispute over cars for Ukraine

William Lewis says all the cars on his land are destined for use in Ukraine

An 80-year-old Surrey man storing cars destined to provide aid to Ukraine claims his local council is being "unsympathetic" in a planning dispute over the vehicles.

William Lewis, from Coldharbour, says all the 30-50 cars on his property at any one time will have a purpose, whether taking soldiers to the front line, bringing injured soldiers back, or transporting medical professionals between hospitals.

But because his land is designated for agricultural use, he is accused of breaking planning permission guidelines and faced a £1,000 fine, if he did not provide information to the council.

Mole Valley District Council (MVDC) said there had been "several complaints from local residents" about cars being stored in the field near Dorking.

Mole Valley District Council says residents have complained about the cars in the field

Mr Lewis told the Local Democracy Reporting Service: "Every vehicle that goes is going to be saving a life in war."

He has taken seven trips into Ukraine since Russia's invasion in 2022, taking humanitarian aid and delivering several ambulances, as well as raising funds to buy 180 generators for the country.

Describing the council's behaviour as “outrageous and unsympathetic”, he says: "Nobody is inconvenienced, they’re not an eyesore."

In February 2024, the Mayor of London and the charity British Ukrainian Aid (BUA) signed an agreement allowing owners of non-ULEZ compliant vehicles to donate their cars to humanitarian efforts.

Margaret Cooksey, cabinet member for planning at the council, said there had been complaints about "an excessive number of cars being stored in a field".

She added: “If a valid planning application is not submitted, and vehicles remain on the land after 31 August, 2024, MVDC would have to consider whether to take formal planning enforcement action.”