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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
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.'
NDTV
24-05-2025
- General
- NDTV
Killer Whales Trapped In Abandoned French Marine Park 4 Months After Closure
It's been more than four months since Marineland, a marine park in southern France, announced its closure, but two killer whales and a dozen dolphins are still stranded there. TideBreakers, an animal advocacy group, recently released distressing aerial footage of orcas - Wikie, 23, and her son Keijo, 11 - swimming aimlessly in the abandoned Marineland Antibes near Cannes, France. Activists rushed to relocate the abandoned creatures after they were left in what they described as "dangerous" and "despairing" conditions, The Standard reported. "The mother and son are still trapped there, waiting for their fate in collapsing tanks," TideBreakers wrote, sharing the video on May 11. View this post on Instagram A post shared by TideBreakers (@wearetidebreakers) Approximately 45 kilometres west of Monaco on the French Riviera's southern coastal town of Antibes, the park houses 12 abandoned dolphins in the algae-infested, deteriorating tanks. According to Marketa Schusterova, co-founder of TideBreakers, the emergency in Marineland Antibes needs to be addressed globally. 'These are the last two remaining orcas in France in captivity and should be moved quickly,' Schusterova said, South West News Service reported. He added that the orcas must be taken out of conditions that endanger their health and well-being. Wikie and Keijo would not be able to survive in the wild because they were both born in confinement, he said. Marineland Antibes shut down on January 5 per the French 2021 law, which prohibited performances involving cetaceans, like dolphins and whales, to entertain the public. The two orcas and 12 dolphins were trapped in their kennels. Following the shutdown, the park administration has been frantically trying to locate the creatures, particularly the killer whales. Although it is no longer a zoo, the management of the facility is still responsible for the animals' welfare, and a small team is in charge of keeping them alive until they are placed in a new home. Despite the dire situation, French officials have rejected alternative proposals, such as a marine zoo in Japan, and have not yet found a suitable location for the orcas in Europe. A plea to move the whales to a sanctuary in Tenerife, Spain, was turned down because the facility currently houses four orcas, including a newborn, BBC reported. After rejecting a zoo in Japan, the Whale Sanctuary Project (WSP) in Nova Scotia is a possible destination for the mother-son duo. For now, a skeleton staff is feeding them, but critics caution that this provides little cerebral enrichment—an essential component for highly intelligent animals like orcas.
Scottish Sun
20-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
I had the dream husband for 4 years but one day something clicked & I realised I was a lesbian – my life was a lie
This follows actress Anna Camp being seen kissing her girlfriend Jade Whipkey for the first time LIVING A LIE I had the dream husband for 4 years but one day something clicked & I realised I was a lesbian – my life was a lie Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A WOMAN has revealed how she left her "dream" husband, house and career behind when she realised she was gay and found new love - just like Pitch Perfect's Anna Camp. Lauren Burgess, 39, thought she had the perfect life until stress led her to therapy which led her to realise she was a lesbian. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 10 Lauren Burgess was married to husband Matt for four years Credit: SWNS:South West News Service 10 Lauren left her 'dream husband' in 2021, but later met her now-partner Anna Sartoris in 2023 and fell in love Credit: SWNS 10 Pitch Perfect's Anna Camp's relationship with Jade Whipkey is her first public relationship with a woman 10 Anna most notable relationship was with Pitch Perfect co-star Skylar Astin Credit: Getty - Contributor In February 2021 she took the plunge and left her husband, Matt, 42, after four years of marriage to travel the West coast of America in a van with her dog, Ted, a Goldendoodle. The business and wealth strategist from Joshua Tree, California, met Amanda Sartoris, 35, a strength and conditioning coach from Venice, through a mutual friend in January 2023, and fell in love. Lauren remains on good terms with her ex-husband, Matt, 42, a financial consultant from Englewood, Colorado - but is focusing on her new life with her girlfriend. Pitch Perfect actress Anna Camp was seen passionately kissing her girlfriend Jade Whipkey for the first time since their love affair was revealed, this week. Camp was previously married to her Pitch Perfect co-star Skylar Astin, but they separated in 2019 less than three years after the wedding. "It was so hard, but Matt was supportive and understanding," said Lauren. "It felt very selfish, and I had a lot to grieve. She added: "Matt is an amazing person and I still have a lot of care there for him. "It's been really hard, but I had to follow my dreams." Lauren had thought she was genuinely happy in her life until she came down with chronic hives in April 2018. I always thought I fancied men then became a lesbian at 33 - strangers think my girlfriend's my MUM but it's true love "I would go to bed every night grateful and content," she said. "I had a home and a job I was passionate about, but I worked very long hours which caused me to come in hives. "I was in and out of hospital until my therapist told me I needed to drop something to get better." When Covid hit in March 2020 Lauren found herself becoming depressed. "I could hardly get out of bed," she said. 10 Lauren remains on good terms with her ex-husband Matt but is focusing on her new life with her girlfriend Credit: SWNS 10 She had previously experimented with women in college but thought it was 'just a bit of fun' Credit: SWNS "Matt and I started having marriage therapy and we discussed travelling. "But all of a sudden he changed his mind and had the confidence to tell me that it wasn't what he wanted." Lauren decided that it was something she still wanted to pursue, and she bought a van on Craigslist to travel 'for a couple of weeks'. She had "experimented" with women in college but thought it was "just a bit of fun." "I'd been seeing a lot of people of social media taking about their sexuality and I began to realise that I might be bisexual," she said. "But on the trip it all clicked and I realised I was definitely gay. "It all made sense. "I knew I had to go back to my husband and talk about getting a divorce." 10 The couple met in California and ended up meeting up for coffee Credit: SWNS Lauren separated from Matt in February 2021 and took her belongings and went travelling along the West Coast of America ending up in Joshua Tree, California. She met Amanda in Venice Beach, California. "We had both just recently moved to Venice," Lauren explained. "We ended up meeting for coffee and kept running into each other and eventually just ended up hitting things off and spent every moment we could out surfing and eventually fell in love." 10 Lauren says she and Amanda are prioritising their careers - but they have talked about having kids Credit: SWNS 10 Lauren thought she might be bisexual but has discovered she is a lesbian Credit: SWNS After a year, the couple traveled down through Baja Mexico in a van, until the heat forced them to head back. Lauren returned to Joshua Tree and Amanda to Venice, but they've made their long-distance relationship work through compromise. "We spend part of our time up here, part of our time down in Venice, surfing, working, that whole thing," she said. Lauren and Matt "stay in touch and co-parent" their dog, Ted. As for children, Lauren says she and Amanda are prioritising their careers - but they have talked about it. She said: "We've definitely talked about starting a family in the future and growing a family life by the beach." She added: "I thought I was living the life of my dreams before but now I really am." 10 The two women make their long-distance relationship work through compromise Credit: SWNS
The Irish Sun
20-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
I had the dream husband for 4 years but one day something clicked & I realised I was a lesbian – my life was a lie
A WOMAN has revealed how she left her "dream" husband, house and career behind when she realised she was gay and found new love - just like Pitch Perfect's Anna Camp. Lauren Burgess, 39, thought she had the perfect life until stress led her to therapy which led her to realise she was a lesbian. 10 Lauren Burgess was married to husband Matt for four years Credit: SWNS:South West News Service 10 Lauren left her 'dream husband' in 2021, but later met her now-partner Anna Sartoris in 2023 and fell in love Credit: SWNS 10 Pitch Perfect's Anna Camp's relationship with Jade Whipkey is her first public relationship with a woman 10 Anna most notable relationship was with Pitch Perfect co-star Skylar Astin Credit: Getty - Contributor In February 2021 she took the plunge and left her husband, Matt, 42, after four years of marriage to travel the West coast of America in a van with her dog, Ted, a Goldendoodle. The business and wealth strategist from Joshua Tree, California , met Amanda Sartoris, 35, a strength and conditioning coach from Venice, through a mutual friend in January 2023, and fell in love. Lauren remains on good terms with her ex-husband, Matt, 42, a financial consultant from Englewood, Colorado - but is focusing on her new life with her girlfriend. Pitch Perfect actress Anna Camp was seen passionately kissing her girlfriend Jade Whipkey for the first time since their love affair was revealed, this week. More on relationships Camp was previously married to her Pitch Perfect co-star Skylar Astin, but they separated in 2019 less than three years after the wedding. "It was so hard, but Matt was supportive and understanding," said Lauren. "It felt very selfish, and I had a lot to grieve. She added: "Matt is an amazing person and I still have a lot of care there for him. Most read in Fabulous "It's been really hard, but I had to follow my dreams." Lauren had thought she was genuinely happy in her life until she came down with chronic hives in April 2018. I always thought I fancied men then became a lesbian at 33 - strangers think my girlfriend's my MUM but it's true love "I would go to bed every night grateful and content," she said. "I had a home and a job I was passionate about, but I worked very long hours which caused me to come in hives. "I was in and out of hospital until my therapist told me I needed to drop something to get better." When Covid hit in March 2020 Lauren found herself becoming depressed. "I could hardly get out of bed," she said. 10 Lauren remains on good terms with her ex-husband Matt but is focusing on her new life with her girlfriend Credit: SWNS 10 She had previously experimented with women in college but thought it was 'just a bit of fun' Credit: SWNS "Matt and I started having marriage therapy and we discussed travelling. "But all of a sudden he changed his mind and had the confidence to tell me that it wasn't what he wanted." Lauren decided that it was something she still wanted to pursue, and she bought a van on Craigslist to travel 'for a couple of weeks'. She had "experimented" with women in college but thought it was "just a bit of fun." "I'd been seeing a lot of people of social media taking about their sexuality and I began to realise that I might be bisexual," she said. "But on the trip it all clicked and I realised I was definitely gay. "It all made sense. "I knew I had to go back to my husband and talk about getting a divorce ." 10 The couple met in California and ended up meeting up for coffee Credit: SWNS Lauren separated from Matt in February 2021 and took her belongings and went travelling along the West Coast of America ending up in Joshua Tree, California . She met Amanda in Venice Beach, California. "We had both just recently moved to Venice," Lauren explained. "We ended up meeting for coffee and kept running into each other and eventually just ended up hitting things off and spent every moment we could out surfing and eventually fell in love." 10 Lauren says she and Amanda are prioritising their careers - but they have talked about having kids Credit: SWNS 10 Lauren thought she might be bisexual but has discovered she is a lesbian Credit: SWNS After a year, the couple traveled down through Baja Mexico in a van, until the heat forced them to head back. Lauren returned to Joshua Tree and Amanda to Venice, but they've made their long-distance relationship work through compromise. "We spend part of our time up here, part of our time down in Venice, surfing, working, that whole thing," she said. Lauren and Matt "stay in touch and co-parent" their dog, Ted. As for children, Lauren says she and Amanda are prioritising their careers - but they have talked about it. She said: "We've definitely talked about starting a family in the future and growing a family life by the beach." She added: "I thought I was living the life of my dreams before but now I really am." 10 The two women make their long-distance relationship work through compromise Credit: SWNS Top dating trends of 2025 Swamping: When you find someone you can comfortably share your 'swamp' with and let go of the pressure to be anything but your true authentic self. No-habiting: When you choose to wait longer to move in with your partner because you value your personal space. Fiscal Attraction: When you won't settle for less and you're seeking a match who is financially secure and who you find attractive. Rejuve-dating: When you cast away the blues and grow from past experiences so you can fully embrace the future of your dating journey. Thrift-matised: When you like to go on dates but hit that sweet spot between being cheap and frugal. Hidden gems, loyalty cards - these are all your type on paper. Loud-dating: Cutting to the chase, being open and to the point with what you want so you don't waste your time. Marmalading: When you literally put your other half 'before anything else', much like Britain's most beloved bear's love for marmalade. Digital Ex-pression: The stage after a break-up when you are done grieving and turn to social media to share how you are healing to confidently get back out on the dating scene. Fine-wining: Proactively finding people to date who are older than you and who've aged just like a fine wine.
