A man who built his dream home inside a shipping container and lived there for 30 years has been evicted by the city council.
Stephen Gibbons, 65, was ordered to leave the one-bedroom property in Newport, Wales, within six months.
The council's planning committee found he had changed his three-acre farm, which has 14 sheep, a handful of horses and goats, to a mixed-use site for vehicle repairs and a dwelling.
Stephen, who says he has only repaired one tractor at the farm, says that he has lived there since 1992 and admits has never applied for a change of use, reports Wales Online.
The former tip worker appealed the council's enforcement notice last year, pointing out the length of time the dwelling has existed, but this week the planning inspector backed the council's decision.
In their findings, the inspector told Newport Council: "Those positive acts of deception and deliberate concealment should deprive the appellant from gaining immunity."
Stephen, whose home boasts three living areas, one bedroom and a bathroom, says he has "lost everything" as a result.
Giving a tour of the property, he said: "It has taken me a long time to get it like this.
"It’s all shipping containers, look. It’s cool in the summer and warm in the winter. It's nice.
"People are doing it now a lot, I was doing it 30 years ago. I live here on my own now, but I had the kids in here with me.
"It’s taken a lot of time and work to make it better and better. You can see I’m a bit of a hoarder. But I am one to maintain things.
“It was bought in 1990 by my father off the neighbour. We bought the land for cattle and horses and such like, with no intention to live here.
"Then I got divorced and I had to live here. It isn’t a secret and it never has been. It’s not like I’ve just done this, I’ve lived here for 30 years.
"All the neighbours and everyone knows I’m here. It’s even on Google Earth. You can see it.
"I've had a great time here, I’ve brought four of my kids up here. It’s the best place, and all the people love me. All the people vouch for me around here."
His neighbours also spoke of his popularity, saying he has contributed to the area and even set up a local relief group to help vulnerable people during the Covid pandemic.
Stephen said: “It’s so frustrating when you can get a caravan club come and park five caravans up here and nothing can be done if they keep moving. It doesn’t seem fair.”
It is not known how the council discovered the dwelling, but Stephen believes someone he had a dispute with may have reported it to them.
He added: “When I first received the letter from the council I thought I was home and dry because I’d lived here so long.
“I thought due to the time issue of it it was finished. It shouldn’t have gone past 1996.
“When they say I’m using it for other uses, what do they mean? Every tool I’ve got is for the farm. I’ve fixed one tractor.
"I don’t mend vehicles. What do they want me to do, use a broken tractor?”
He has been told to return the farm to its previous state within six months and that he must pay £8,000 in administration costs.
Referring to how he feels as a result of the decision, he said: “Well at least I’ve not got cancer. I don’t know what I’ll do.
"I’ve got a house with my ex but I can’t live with her can I?"
He added: “It is upsetting, of course it is. I’ve got pictures of my kids living here when they were as high as my knee."
Councillor James Clarke, cabinet member for strategic planning, housing and regulation, said: “I’m pleased that Planning and Environmental Wales agreed with the council’s assessment that this structure was erected without permission and deliberately concealed in order to bypass planning regulations.
"Planning regulations are in place for good reasons. They seek to protect all of us against inappropriate development and this decision demonstrates that deliberate acts to deceive and mislead will be found out.
"The council will take enforcement action against anyone who deliberately breaches the rules in this manner.”
