A couple who bought their dream barn conversion in a national park have been ordered to tear out £150,000 house renovations.
Mark Owen, 50, and wife Kerrie, 48, splashed out £287,000 to buy the barn conversion and decided add their favourite luxury extras.
The couple began making changes to their six-acre plot by putting in a patio balcony, a hot tub area, and a home office.
But 10 months later they were handed a contravention notice by park bosses to rip out the new additions to their Brecon Beacons home.
Cancer patient Mark said: “It was for the future – I don’t know how long I have left. I wanted it to be nice for Kerrie if I’m not here.
“Features like the Jacuzzi area were under the recommendation of the consultant doctor for the aches and pains which come with the chemotherapy tablets I take.
“I will stand here when they come to take it down if I need to.”
Former soldier Mark and wife moved from Kent to buy The Byre in the Brecon Beacons national park in April last year and spent three months renovating it before moving in.
Mark, who could have just years to live due to chronic myeloid leukaemia, said he bought the land believing it was residential. But Brecon Beacons National Park officials told him it was agricultural land in Trecastle, Powys .
Now the couple must tear down a porch extension at the front, a separate office, and the hot tub area. They must also remove the large garden shed, the balcony, gabion supports, and a boarded fence around a dog area.
Mark, who helps with Army training in Sennybridge, said: “It’s just been a real heartache with the pressure we’ve been under. I know Kerrie wants to stay but I just want to move away now after everything we’ve been through.”
The couple say a national park officer told them there had been one complaint made and it was not from a neighbour.
Mark said: “If I’d painted it pink and put a ferris wheel outside I’d understand but I haven’t.”
The couple has now complained to estate agents Clee Tompkinson and Francis claiming they were told they could do what they wanted with the land.
A spokesman for the estate agents said: “I can confirm that we have received a complaint from Mr and Mrs Owen. This is currently under investigation via our complaints procedure and we are therefore unable to comment further.”
A Brecon Beacons National Park spokeswoman said they were unable to comment because it was a “live case”.
.jpg?w=600)
