FUMING neighbours have slammed a pensioner’s “car graveyard” after he allegedly left dozens of abandoned motors in a field.
But William Lewis, 80, who says he’s storing cars to provide aid to Ukraine, hit back saying his local council is being “unsympathetic” in a planning dispute over the vehicles.
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Pictures of the field show rows of parked cars, including several vans, but also more luxurious cars such as Mercedes and BMWs.
Mr Lewis, from Coldharbour, claims that every one of the 30 to 50 vehicles parked on his land are there for a reason, be it returning injured soldiers to their units or moving medical personnel from one hospital to another.
He allegedly let a Transport for London (TfL)-backed scheme for sending scrap cars to Ukraine use a field that he owns.
But because his site is zoned for agricultural use, he is accused of violating planning permission guidelines and faces a £1,000 fine if he does not disclose information to the council.
Cllr Margaret Cooksey, Mole Valley District Council’s cabinet member for planning, claimed that “several complaints” had been received from residents “about an excessive number of cars being stored in a field in Coldharbour”.
Officials then ordered that Mr Lewis submit a formal planning application for a change of use of the land, threatening the hefty fine unless the field was cleared by the end of August.
The 80-year-old described the council’s actions as “outrageous and unsympathetic,” adding, “Nobody is inconvenienced, and they’re not an eyesore.”
He told the BBC: “Every vehicle that goes is going to be saving a life in war.”
Mr Lewis then told The Telegraph: “I’m not going to go through the process of making a full-blown planning application. It’s ludicrous.
“I certainly don’t guarantee the vehicles will be removed by Aug 31. And I never said they would be.”
Since Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022, Mr Lewis has made seven visits there, bringing aid and ambulances, and raising money to purchase 180 generators for the nation.
It comes just a week after Ukraine’s envoy to the UK, Gen. Valerii Zaluzhny, demanded that the Ulez scrappage donation program be expanded to the entire nation.
Older cars that don’t comply with London’s Ulez emissions regulations can be scrapped for a £2,000 TfL reward.
On the scrappage scheme form, owners of these cars and vans can tick a box authorising their vehicles to be donated to Ukraine.
The amount that owners receive from the grant is unaffected by this.
Can I store multiple cars on my land?
IN the UK, storing multiple cars on your land is generally permissible as long as the vehicles are not causing a nuisance or violating any specific local regulations.
However, there are several considerations and potential restrictions:
Planning Permission: If you are storing a large number of vehicles or using the land in a way that could be considered commercial, you might need planning permission. This is especially true if the activity could be seen as a change of use from residential to commercial.
Environmental Regulations: If you are storing cars that are not in use or are being dismantled, environmental regulations might come into play, especially regarding potential pollution (e.g., oil leaks).
Nuisance: Storing multiple vehicles must not cause a nuisance to neighbors. Issues such as noise, unsightliness, or blocking access could lead to complaints and enforcement actions by the local council.
Highways Act 1980: This act prohibits obstructing public highways. Vehicles must not be parked in a way that causes an obstruction to pedestrians or other road users.
Local Bylaws and Covenants: There might be specific local bylaws or covenants on your property that restrict the number of vehicles you can store. These can vary widely depending on the area and type of property.
Fines and Penalties: If you violate planning regulations, you could face enforcement action from the local planning authority, which might include fines or an order to remove the vehicles. Breaching environmental laws can result in significant fines. Causing a nuisance can lead to orders from the local council to cease the activity, and failing to comply could result in fines or other enforcement actions.
To ensure compliance, it’s advisable to check with your local council for any specific regulations or requirements; ensure vehicles are stored safely and do not pose environmental risks; and avoid causing any nuisance to neighbours.
