Wealden turns down injured Marine's bid for bungalow
GRANDPARENTS of young serviceman Joe Townsend, who lost both his legs in an explosion, have been refused planning permission to build a specially adapted bungalow for their grandson.
Twenty-year-old Royal Marine Joe was seriously injured in Afghanistan around a year ago.
David and Lynda Carter hoped to build Joe a 'home for life' on a plot of land at the rear of their Hankham property.
The bungalow would have been specially built for his needs, have far reaching countryside views and was to include accommodation for a carer.
They applied for planning permission but last week Wealden District Council refused the application on the grounds it would be an 'intrusive development in a semi-rural area' - despite there being no objections from local residents or Westham Parish Council.
Half the planning committee voted to grant permission but the other half were not in favour and the deciding vote resulted in a refusal.
David said, "It would have given him his independence with us being only a stone's throw away.
"He had tried to look for a place in this area but he didn't have the money for what he wanted. It would have eaten up all his compensation and he needs money to live on for the rest of his life.
"We thought the best thing was to build him a home near us."
Nan Lynda added, "It was for Joe's future and was going to be his home forever.
"When his granddad suggested the idea Joe said it would be a 'dream come true' and this New Year I told him, 'New Year, new home'."
The family attended the planning meeting on January 8 with high hopes.
Joe, who currently lives at Headley Court in Surrey but enjoys clay pigeon shooting when he visits his granddad, told Wealden planners about his dream to live in a home of his own near his grandparents.
David said, "It was recommended for refusal but I thought we might win on the day and Joe also thought we would get it.
"There were no objections so it is very sad and we are very disappointed."
Neighbour Bob Crouch said, "I had no objections and I was disappointed when I heard it had been turned down.
"The council were concerned it would set a precedent but I think they could have approved it on compassionate grounds."
Mr and Mrs Carter say they understand council planners have a job to do and realise granting permission may have set a precedent for others to build in the area. David said members of the planning committee came to shake Joe's hand after the meeting and councillors said they hoped to grant a different plan for the bungalow in the future.
Although David is understanding of the council decision, he feels there is not enough being done to help injured servicemen.
He said, "Really, the local council should be bending over backwards for lads like Joe because there is such a shortage of places for these young lads to live - we were prepared to do something for him but unfortunately the council couldn't vote for it.
"When you think what lads like Joe have been through - he has lost half his body."
The family are going back to the drawing board with the plans and hope permission will be granted if they build the bungalow nearer to their home.
David and Lynda are committed to building a home for their grandson but say it will cost more money than the original plan and Joe will not have full benefit of the countryside views.
A number of local building companies have said they will donate materials for the build and the man working on the plans has refused to take any money for his time.
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Saturday 26 May 2012
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