Bullying row over caravan on private estate in Woodcote, Epsom

Nevil True, of Pine Hill, Epsom, was ordered to get rid of the large caravan in his garden in August but is appealing to the Government’s planning inspectorate.

Epsom Council maintains that Mr True turned his property into a house in multiple occupation (HMO), shared by more than six people, and does not have planning permission for the caravan.

But Mr True insists he does not need planning permission for the vehicle, which he says is only used by his family as an extra bedroom when they visit.

Back in 2011 he won an appeal against a council order to remove his collection of up to 10 old cars parked on his driveway which neighbours on the exclusive Woodcote Estate complained were an eyesore.

Last week he hit out at County Councillor Tina Mountain for spearheading a campaign against his caravan by rallying residents and sending out circulars about him.

Surrey County Councillor Tina Mountain

He said: "I haven’t really affected anybody and there is a procedure to be followed which is what I have done. She’s going off the rails, she’s going berserk."

He said that the council only notified six neighbours about the planning inquiry but Coun Mountain contacted hundreds.

In an update to residents in the Woodcote Estate, Coun Mountain said: "Late in 2013, Mr True refused a meeting with the Inspectorate because it was not ‘convenient’.

"His reasons may have been legitimate but equally they may have been a delaying tactics."

She added: "Please be assured I will keep fighting this battle. Woodcote is a wonderful area to live and it should be kept that way."

Mr True, who has asked Surrey County Council (SCC) to suspend Coun Mountain, said he had simply not been able to make the date suggested by planners because he was away for work.

He said: "She’s making unfounded accusations, she’s bullying me, she’s making it really horrible for me." But Coun Mountain, from the Ridge, Epsom, said that residents had asked her to keep them updated and she had advised them in a newsletter that he had cancelled an appointment.

In a statement, she said: "Far from bullying Mr True, I consider it is the reverse. Mr True is bullying the residents of the Woodcote Estate."

Epsom Conservative campaigner Daniel Race

She added: "Due to the strength of feeling and frustrations expressed by the residents I felt it prudent to notify the local police of the situation."

Coun Mountain, who represents Epsom Town and Downs, said residents had contacted her and she had passed on more than 120 of their letters and emails to the planning inspectorate.

She said: "During my election campaign I promised I would fight against inappropriate development in Epsom.

"I consider that an extremely large caravan, propped up on bricks, fully visible to any residents and visitors to the Woodcote Estate, to be inappropriate development."

Mr True told the planning inspectorate that he has varying number of lodgers but argued that council was using the "pretence" that his home is a HMO to get rid of his caravan.

In his appeal to the inspectorate, he said: "It would be unfair to confirm that the removal of my caravan is the answer, as it has got nothing to do with the alleged problem."

He added: "The council is acting in an unprofessional manner, and is seeking to be underhand in attacking the lawful parking of my caravan within my cartilage."

An Epsom Council spokesman said: "Without planning permission, there has been change of use of the property to form a house in multiple occupation (with more than six person sharing) and the stationing of a static caravan in the front garden.

"Epsom and Ewell Borough Council has served an enforcement notice on the owner relating to the above. The owner has appealed against the notice and the appeal is currently being dealt with by the planning inspectorate."

In a letter to the planning inspectorate, Coun Mountain said Mr True had been operating an HMO, evidenced by people seen living at the property and related vehicles.

She said: "This is a lovely residential area whose entrance is blighted by a house in multiple occupation, fronted by a very large static caravan and surrounded by many cars in a poor state of repair."

She enclosed more than 100 comments from residents, adding: "I hope you will take into account this overwhelming objection."

Epsom Conservative campaigner Daniel Race said: "The caravan is an issue that concerns many of the residents of Woodcote.

"A solution that suits everyone must be found and Councillor Mountain is expected by her residents to help achieve this.

"I hope that an amicable compromise can be reached that benefits all of those affected."