Appeal win grants charcoal burners time to develop (From South Wales Guardian)

Appeal win grants charcoal burners time to develop

9:00am Friday 8th March 2013 in News

LLANDOVERY charcoal burners Paul and Kate Hooper have won their appeal to keep a temporary dwelling in their woodland at Allt Cefn Crug.

Carmarthenshire’s planners had told Mr and Mrs Hooper to demolish their wooden dwelling immediately, but planning inspector Tim Belcher decided that, contrary to the opinion of the planning authority, the Hoopers needed to be on site for their charcoal- burning, a long process requiring frequent checks. The inspector’s decision, to allow a threeyear permission for the small wooden dwelling means that the Hoopers have time to develop their business, which also produces biochar soil conditioner, logs, sawn timber and woodland honey.

The Welsh Government’s advice note ‘planning for sustainable rural communities’, allows isolated dwellings in the countryside if they are absolutely necessary for the occupants’ work – for example if they are looking after commercial livestock or have a forestry enterprise.

Barrister James Corbet Burcher represented Mr and Mrs Hooper and additional support for the enterprise came from the Llandovery Area Tenants and Residents Association, Transition Town Llandeilo and Calon Cymru Network, a community interest company working to regenerate the rural economy along the Heart of Wales railway corridor.