Couple threatened with jail over unauthorised nature reserve
A CHESHIRE couple who run the Timbersbrook nature project near Congleton face jail unless they dismantle the attraction, following legal action by Cheshire East Council.
The council won a judgement at the High Court in Birmingham against Leo Deen and Catherine Wincote, arguing the couple have persistently made unauthorised use of their own land at Pedley Lane.
By running the project, and inviting parties of school children, they have used the green belt agricultural land for recreational and educational purposes, without a change of use permission which they have previously been refused.
Two years ago the council raided the site, tore down buildings such as chicken sheds, and confiscated livestock.
Ms Wincote told TheBusinesDesk: “After that we did open again. We had toilets on a caravan base so it was deemed moveable, so we thought it was okay. And we had an old army tent and the council said that was okay as long as it wasn’t lived in for more than 28 days in a year. We put in for educational and recreational use which got knocked back.”
She added: “We’re not sure what our next move is, it’s still sinking in. We’re still thinking about it. Nobody can understand it, we’re not doing anything wrong, we’re just teaching children about agriculture.”
In a statement councillor Michael Jones, leader of Cheshire East Council, said: “It is a real tragedy that this has had to go this far. Mr Deen did not work with the council and chose to ignore the council’s enforcement action.
“The public rightfully expects that the council as a local planning authority protects and preserves designated areas and this use represented an unacceptable development in the green belt. The court’s acceptance of the undertaking demonstrates Cheshire East Council was justified in taking action against the Timbersbrook Project.”
