Couple loses home due to strict tourism policies
- Ann and Stephen Frew bought a property in Great Yarmouth intending to use it as a family residence after extensive renovations.
- They received an enforcement notice from the council forbidding the change of use due to the property’s classification as tourist accommodation.
- Their attempts to appeal the decision were unsuccessful, leading to the sale of the property as a business and leaving the couple in a precarious situation.
In Great Yarmouth, England, an elderly couple, Ann and Stephen Frew, found themselves in a distressing situation after purchasing a five-bedroom property with plans to accommodate their family. They had invested £40,000 in renovations to make the home accessible as both had health issues, including cancer and Parkinson's disease. However, their aspirations were shattered when they received an enforcement notice from the local council, indicating they had no permission to change the property’s use from tourist accommodation to a private residence. The property, formerly operating as the Merivon Guesthouse, was subject to the GY6 policy aimed at protecting the local tourism economy, which generates £648 million annually and supports a significant portion of local employment. The couple submitted a retrospective planning application to convert the building for residential use, yet this was refused by the council, who cited concerns about a loss of tourism supply. Attempts to appeal the decision to the planning inspectorate also failed, leading to the couple putting their home up for sale at £250,000. Mrs. Frew expressed her frustration, stating that the situation left them feeling 'in absolute limbo' as their life savings were tied up in a property deemed worthless without the potential for residential use. Neighbors had raised concerns regarding the couple's awareness of the property's history, leading to further complications in their situation. The local council expressed empathy for the couple's predicament but maintained that the regulations were in place to protect the region's tourism. As the couple navigates through this challenging ordeal, the intersection of local policy and personal hardship remains a poignant reminder of the impacts of governance on individual lives.