Grieving siblings are hoping that Fenland planners will help them retain their parents’ ‘dream home’ within the family.
Rachel Cooper and her brothers Daniel and Mark White want to see occupancy conditions imposed on their late parents’ property removed to enable family members to buy it.
Originally planning permission for Thornlands in Barton Road, Wisbech, was granted in 1986 with a restricted occupancy condition that stated occupants must be employed in the gangmaster’s business on adjoining land.
In 1999 an appeal to have occupancy conditions removed saw planning inspector Peter Golder lift the gangmaster’s requirement but replace it with a new agriculture requirement.
Now the family wants to see that condition lifted too.
In a handwritten, and heartfelt, letter to the council, the siblings asked planners to consider removing the restriction which had applied to their parents who had the home built.
They explained their parents, who have since died, retired from the gangmasters business 25 years ago. One of the brothers still lives at the property, but the letter explains the trio are not in a position to buy each other out.
“We really want to keep our parents’ dream home,” says the letter, which goes on to explain that their nephews have managed to raise enough money to buy the property, but are only willing to do so if the restriction is lifted.
They also explain the land alongside the house has been inherited separately and is currently a wasteland.
They go on to say: “The area around Barton Road has changed significantly over 26 years, with new builds including a care home and a school. We would really appreciate it if you could consider the restriction in order for us to not only continue to grieve but also keep this within the family.”
At the time the gangmaster restriction was lifted the inspector said he doubted planning permission would be granted without a special need and therefore concluded the agriculture condition should be imposed in its place.