Latest news with #MarkJones
The Citizen
10 hours ago
- Automotive
- The Citizen
PODCAST: How long can BYD Shark stay SA's fastest bakkie?
After beating Ford Ranger Raptor, double cab will have a hard time holding onto its crown. The BYD Shark this month put its money where its mouth is and dethroned the Ford Ranger Raptor in spectacular fashion as the fastest production bakkie in South Africa. The 321kW/650Nm BYD Shark, a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) which showed up for the fight as the most powerful local bakkie, destroyed the Raptor on the drag strip. It clocked a 0 to 100km/h time of 5.66 seconds to better the 6.90 seconds set by the Ford Ranger Raptor two years ago. The 292kW/583Nm Raptor took the crown from the 190kW VW Amarok back in 2021. Compared to the new benchmark, the Amarok's 8.14 seconds seems very modest. ALSO READ: Sub-R1m BYD Shark becomes South Africa's most powerful bakkie BYD Shark makes a Pitstop In this week's episode of the Pitstop podcast, we analyse the data from the BYD Shark's high-performance test. Road Test Editor Mark Jones explains how the Chinese bakkie managed to top the Ford Ranger Raptor is almost every aspect of the test. It must be said that the Raptor's real forte is not on tarmac, but off-road. It is a performance off-roader, which just happened to the fastest on the tarmac too because of its sheer power. At the time of its introduction, it featured a full 102kW of power more than the Amarok and The Citizen Motoring did not see its record in any danger any time soon. ALSO READ: BYD Shark dethrones Ford Ranger Raptor as fastest bakkie in SA The power game But we will not make that mistake again, especially not with what is in the pipeline in terms of Chinese products. The JAC T9 PHEV produces 290kW/670Nm, while the range-extending electric Riddara RD6 features 315kW/595Nm. The Maxus eTerron 9 is a full electric bakkie that produces 325kW of power and 700Nm of torque.
The Irish Sun
3 days ago
- General
- The Irish Sun
I have to knock down my swish bungalow because neighbours say it looks ‘alien' & breaches privacy… it's ridiculous
A DAD claims he faces homelessness after he was ordered to tear down a bungalow in his ex-wife's back garden in a planning row. Mark Jones, 55, spent £180,000 building the home in Advertisement 5 Mark Jones with his dogs in front of his bungalow in Sutton Coldfield, West Midlands Credit: SWNS:South West News Service 5 An interior shot of the property, which the dad-of-two has been ordered to demolish Credit: SWNS:South West News Service 5 An aerial view of the bungalow (bottom left of shot) which is in Jones' ex-wife's garden Credit: SWNS He accused Birmingham City Council of "bullying" him and said he would move to Spain if it had to be bulldozed. He began the build without planning permission in March 2019, hoping his late father could move in. But his father died that October and Mark's daughter and her boyfriend used it during the pandemic before he moved in himself. But a neighbour had already complained and Mark was told by a council officer that he needed planning consent. Advertisement Six years on, Mark, who initially believed he could build the bungalow under permitted development rules, has less than a fortnight to meet the demolition deadline having twice been refused planning permission and lost an appeal. He told BirminghamLive: 'We thought we could do permitted development, two bedrooms and a bathroom, and a dining room/living space. 'It was a separate building within the permitted development size. "But a planning officer came out and said I could not continue and needed planning permission." Advertisement Most read in Money The planning officer initially came out in April 2019 - and the application was ultimately rejected in late 2019 and again in 2020. Mark added: "My dad died in October 2019. At the time, my daughter was training to be a paediatric nurse and moved into the bungalow with her boyfriend because of Covid. I came home to find my nightmare neighbour knocking down my DOOR – he claimed it was his right to do it 'We had a date to have the building down by March 14, 2022. We put our head in the sand.' Mark said he initially continued building despite his planning problems because his dad was gravelly ill and he was convinced he would eventually secure consent. Advertisement His first application was rejected in October 2019, the same month he lost his father, because the "siting, design, appearance and plot layout would adversely affect the established mature character of the existing residential area". The development work continued with the roof and windows completed at the end of November. A second application - also refused - was submitted that month, for the retention of the bungalow with a kitchen/dining area, two bedrooms (both approximately 12 square metres), bathroom and a store. 5 A shot of the bungalow which sits directly next to the fence of his ex-wife's garden Credit: SWNS:South West News Service Advertisement 5 Mark acknowledges his "fault" but says the council shouldn't force him to demolish it Credit: SWNS:South West News Service There were three objections from residents raising parking issues, privacy and light concerns, and concerns from Walmley Ash Allotment Association. The residents said the building in a back garden was 'over-intensive', 'contrary to planning law' and would 'set a poor precedent for other home owners in the area'. Undeterred, Mark completed the internal works in June 2020 and appealed to The Planning Inspectorate. But in February 2021 inspector, Samuel Watson refused the 'backland' development. Advertisement He said homes in Walmley Ash Road mainly featured undeveloped gardens and described the bungalow as 'alien'. In November 2021, Mark was told to take the bungalow down by March 14, 2022. He submitted a new permitted development certificate application for a single-storey outbuilding but that has yet to be decided. He said he was told even if it were granted, and he was convinced it should be, he would need to pull down the original bungalow and build it again. Advertisement He said: 'We were told it's got to come down by the end of June.. The council is taking me to court. 'My ex-wife is a midwife and can't get a criminal record. The council is supposed to have done things it hasn't done." Mark added: 'It's bullying. It wants us to knock a house down that's perfectly reasonable. "From the street or a neighbour's garden, you wouldn't see anything. You can't see into windows. Advertisement 'We back onto an allotment and I have offered to plant trees. There was a garage there before. 'The council made silly comments like it was not the right shape for the area. 'My dad was dying and the urgency was there. In all honesty, I wouldn't do it again.' 'Council should've put an enforcement notice to stop me building it' Advertisement Mark claims the bungalow is "100 per cent within permitted development certificate limits" and pointed to the fact it doesn't have separate water or internet. He said: "We don't pay separate council tax. We can't have all three utilities until we have planning permission. 'Every single thing has been refused by Birmingham City Council. 'I don't want to knock it down. It's a waste of time and money. If I get the permitted development certificate, we are going to sell the house with an annex. Advertisement 'The council should have put an enforcement on me to stop me building it. If I lose, I am moving to Spain and I will take the house down. 'Ultimately, I acknowledge I am at fault. However, I believe the council also bears significant responsibility due to the initial misguidance, followed by a severe lack of communication, support, and adherence to its own procedures.' Read more on the Irish Sun A spokeswoman for Birmingham City Council said 'Mr Jones is currently in breach of the enforcement notice that was served to him in 2021, and we have given him ample time to comply with the notice by the end of June 2025. 'A decision will be made imminently on the lawful development certificate that Mr Jones has submitted, and a case officer will then be in contact with him to advise further.' Advertisement
The Sun
3 days ago
- General
- The Sun
I have to knock down my swish bungalow because neighbours say it looks ‘alien' & breaches privacy… it's ridiculous
A DAD claims he faces homelessness after he was ordered to tear down a bungalow in his ex-wife's back garden in a planning row. Mark Jones, 55, spent £180,000 building the home in Sutton Coldfield but now has until the end of June to demolish the mini property. 5 5 5 He accused Birmingham City Council of "bullying" him and said he would move to Spain if it had to be bulldozed. He began the build without planning permission in March 2019, hoping his late father could move in. But his father died that October and Mark's daughter and her boyfriend used it during the pandemic before he moved in himself. But a neighbour had already complained and Mark was told by a council officer that he needed planning consent. Six years on, Mark, who initially believed he could build the bungalow under permitted development rules, has less than a fortnight to meet the demolition deadline having twice been refused planning permission and lost an appeal. He told BirminghamLive: 'We thought we could do permitted development, two bedrooms and a bathroom, and a dining room/living space. 'It was a separate building within the permitted development size. "But a planning officer came out and said I could not continue and needed planning permission." The planning officer initially came out in April 2019 - and the application was ultimately rejected in late 2019 and again in 2020. Mark added: "My dad died in October 2019. At the time, my daughter was training to be a paediatric nurse and moved into the bungalow with her boyfriend because of Covid. I came home to find my nightmare neighbour knocking down my DOOR – he claimed it was his right to do it 'We had a date to have the building down by March 14, 2022. We put our head in the sand.' Mark said he initially continued building despite his planning problems because his dad was gravelly ill and he was convinced he would eventually secure consent. His first application was rejected in October 2019, the same month he lost his father, because the "siting, design, appearance and plot layout would adversely affect the established mature character of the existing residential area". The development work continued with the roof and windows completed at the end of November. A second application - also refused - was submitted that month, for the retention of the bungalow with a kitchen/dining area, two bedrooms (both approximately 12 square metres), bathroom and a store. 5 5 There were three objections from residents raising parking issues, privacy and light concerns, and concerns from Walmley Ash Allotment Association. The residents said the building in a back garden was 'over-intensive', 'contrary to planning law' and would 'set a poor precedent for other home owners in the area'. Undeterred, Mark completed the internal works in June 2020 and appealed to The Planning Inspectorate. But in February 2021 inspector, Samuel Watson refused the 'backland' development. He said homes in Walmley Ash Road mainly featured undeveloped gardens and described the bungalow as 'alien '. In November 2021, Mark was told to take the bungalow down by March 14, 2022. He submitted a new permitted development certificate application for a single-storey outbuilding but that has yet to be decided. He said he was told even if it were granted, and he was convinced it should be, he would need to pull down the original bungalow and build it again. He said: 'We were told it's got to come down by the end of June.. The council is taking me to court. 'My ex-wife is a midwife and can't get a criminal record. The council is supposed to have done things it hasn't done." Mark added: 'It's bullying. It wants us to knock a house down that's perfectly reasonable. "From the street or a neighbour's garden, you wouldn't see anything. You can't see into windows. 'We back onto an allotment and I have offered to plant trees. There was a garage there before. 'The council made silly comments like it was not the right shape for the area. 'My dad was dying and the urgency was there. In all honesty, I wouldn't do it again.' 'Council should've put an enforcement notice to stop me building it' Mark claims the bungalow is "100 per cent within permitted development certificate limits" and pointed to the fact it doesn't have separate water or internet. He said: "We don't pay separate council tax. We can't have all three utilities until we have planning permission. 'Every single thing has been refused by Birmingham City Council. 'I don't want to knock it down. It's a waste of time and money. If I get the permitted development certificate, we are going to sell the house with an annex. 'The council should have put an enforcement on me to stop me building it. If I lose, I am moving to Spain and I will take the house down. 'Ultimately, I acknowledge I am at fault. However, I believe the council also bears significant responsibility due to the initial misguidance, followed by a severe lack of communication, support, and adherence to its own procedures.' A spokeswoman for Birmingham City Council said 'Mr Jones is currently in breach of the enforcement notice that was served to him in 2021, and we have given him ample time to comply with the notice by the end of June 2025. 'A decision will be made imminently on the lawful development certificate that Mr Jones has submitted, and a case officer will then be in contact with him to advise further.'
Scottish Sun
3 days ago
- General
- Scottish Sun
I have to knock down my swish bungalow because neighbours say it looks ‘alien' & breaches privacy… it's ridiculous
The father-of-two built the bungalow without planning permission KNOCK DOWN I have to knock down my swish bungalow because neighbours say it looks 'alien' & breaches privacy… it's ridiculous A DAD claims he faces homelessness after he was ordered to tear down a bungalow in his ex-wife's back garden in a planning row. Mark Jones, 55, spent £180,000 building the home in Sutton Coldfield but now has until the end of June to demolish the mini property. 5 Mark Jones with his dogs in front of his bungalow in Sutton Coldfield, West Midlands Credit: SWNS:South West News Service 5 An interior shot of the property, which the dad-of-two has been ordered to demolish Credit: SWNS:South West News Service 5 An aerial view of the bungalow (bottom left of shot) which is in Jones' ex-wife's garden Credit: SWNS He accused Birmingham City Council of "bullying" him and said he would move to Spain if it had to be bulldozed. He began the build without planning permission in March 2019, hoping his late father could move in. But his father died that October and Mark's daughter and her boyfriend used it during the pandemic before he moved in himself. But a neighbour had already complained and Mark was told by a council officer that he needed planning consent. Six years on, Mark, who initially believed he could build the bungalow under permitted development rules, has less than a fortnight to meet the demolition deadline having twice been refused planning permission and lost an appeal. He told BirminghamLive: 'We thought we could do permitted development, two bedrooms and a bathroom, and a dining room/living space. 'It was a separate building within the permitted development size. "But a planning officer came out and said I could not continue and needed planning permission." The planning officer initially came out in April 2019 - and the application was ultimately rejected in late 2019 and again in 2020. Mark added: "My dad died in October 2019. At the time, my daughter was training to be a paediatric nurse and moved into the bungalow with her boyfriend because of Covid. I came home to find my nightmare neighbour knocking down my DOOR – he claimed it was his right to do it 'We had a date to have the building down by March 14, 2022. We put our head in the sand.' Mark said he initially continued building despite his planning problems because his dad was gravelly ill and he was convinced he would eventually secure consent. His first application was rejected in October 2019, the same month he lost his father, because the "siting, design, appearance and plot layout would adversely affect the established mature character of the existing residential area". The development work continued with the roof and windows completed at the end of November. A second application - also refused - was submitted that month, for the retention of the bungalow with a kitchen/dining area, two bedrooms (both approximately 12 square metres), bathroom and a store. 5 A shot of the bungalow which sits directly next to the fence of his ex-wife's garden Credit: SWNS:South West News Service 5 Mark acknowledges his "fault" but says the council shouldn't force him to demolish it Credit: SWNS:South West News Service There were three objections from residents raising parking issues, privacy and light concerns, and concerns from Walmley Ash Allotment Association. The residents said the building in a back garden was 'over-intensive', 'contrary to planning law' and would 'set a poor precedent for other home owners in the area'. Undeterred, Mark completed the internal works in June 2020 and appealed to The Planning Inspectorate. But in February 2021 inspector, Samuel Watson refused the 'backland' development. He said homes in Walmley Ash Road mainly featured undeveloped gardens and described the bungalow as 'alien'. In November 2021, Mark was told to take the bungalow down by March 14, 2022. He submitted a new permitted development certificate application for a single-storey outbuilding but that has yet to be decided. He said he was told even if it were granted, and he was convinced it should be, he would need to pull down the original bungalow and build it again. He said: 'We were told it's got to come down by the end of June.. The council is taking me to court. 'My ex-wife is a midwife and can't get a criminal record. The council is supposed to have done things it hasn't done." Mark added: 'It's bullying. It wants us to knock a house down that's perfectly reasonable. "From the street or a neighbour's garden, you wouldn't see anything. You can't see into windows. 'We back onto an allotment and I have offered to plant trees. There was a garage there before. 'The council made silly comments like it was not the right shape for the area. 'My dad was dying and the urgency was there. In all honesty, I wouldn't do it again.' 'Council should've put an enforcement notice to stop me building it' Mark claims the bungalow is "100 per cent within permitted development certificate limits" and pointed to the fact it doesn't have separate water or internet. He said: "We don't pay separate council tax. We can't have all three utilities until we have planning permission. 'Every single thing has been refused by Birmingham City Council. 'I don't want to knock it down. It's a waste of time and money. If I get the permitted development certificate, we are going to sell the house with an annex. 'The council should have put an enforcement on me to stop me building it. If I lose, I am moving to Spain and I will take the house down. 'Ultimately, I acknowledge I am at fault. However, I believe the council also bears significant responsibility due to the initial misguidance, followed by a severe lack of communication, support, and adherence to its own procedures.' A spokeswoman for Birmingham City Council said 'Mr Jones is currently in breach of the enforcement notice that was served to him in 2021, and we have given him ample time to comply with the notice by the end of June 2025. 'A decision will be made imminently on the lawful development certificate that Mr Jones has submitted, and a case officer will then be in contact with him to advise further.'
Telegraph
3 days ago
- General
- Telegraph
‘I spent £180k on garden flat I now have to tear down'
An IT engineer has been ordered to tear down a £180,000 bungalow he built in his garden without planning permission. Mark Jones, 55, replaced an old garage in his back garden with a two-bedroom 'granny flat' and hooked up the electricity, water and internet to his house in March 2019. The 83-square-metre annex, featuring a kitchen, two bedrooms, a bathroom and storeroom, was completed six months later. He did not apply for planning permission, believing it was legal owing to its size and the utilities being connected to the main house. Mr Jones hoped his ill father Tony, 71, would move into the property in Sutton Coldfield, West Midlands, but he died of bowel cancer months later so it was used by his grown-up daughter and her boyfriend during the Covid lockdowns. But after three neighbours complained, claiming it was 'over intensive', Birmingham city council ordered him to tear it down in 2021. Mr Jones said he believed the building complied with planning laws and lodged a retrospective planning application. The plan was rejected and, despite making a second application, he was told the property broke planning regulations. He has been ordered to demolish the bungalow by the end of the month or face possible further legal action. Mr Jones, who moved into the building after he and his wife divorced, said he will be homeless if he is forced to demolish the building. The father-of-two said: 'The bungalow was within the permitted development rights and could have habitable rooms. It was meant for my father and reliant on the main house.' He said because several nearby properties had two-storey buildings in their gardens 'I thought it was fine' and saw his original £60,000 plans double after adding in a kitchen. Mr Jones completed the inside and appealed to the planning inspectorate after being warned he needed planning permission. But in February 2021 the inspector refused and said the bungalow was 'alien' to the area. Mr Jones said: 'There is no public interest in taking the bungalow down, so I don't know why they're making me. You look at other houses on the street and I can't see why we wouldn't get permission for it. 'It was never meant to be a separate building, it was supposed to be part of the main house. It doesn't have its own water, internet, council tax or waste. 'It is still part of the main house. I should've waited for planning permission but people can see why I haven't. I was in a hurry to get my dad moved in.' Accusing the council of 'bullying' him, he used Google maps to investigate his neighbour's gardens and 'thought it was safe'. 'Loads of people have done this. If I tear it down I've got nowhere else to go so I'll probably be on the streets. To me the council is bullying me.' Mr Jones has applied for a new permitted development certificate application with the council. Even if it is granted, he will still have to tear down the original bungalow and build it again to comply with the council's rules. A spokesman for Birmingham city council said: 'Mr Jones is currently in breach of the enforcement notice that was served to him in 2021, and we have given him ample time to comply with the notice by the end of June 2025. 'A decision will be made imminently on the lawful development certificate that Mr Jones has submitted, and a case officer will then be in contact with him to advise further.'
