Miners' leader scores victory with Mumbles chalet bid
THE miners' leader who gave a future to scores of pit workers believes a planning decision in his favour will help struggling families get on the property ladder.
Tyrone O'Sullivan has taken a big step in removing a restricted occupancy condition for his holiday chalet in Limeslade, Mumbles, meaning he and his wife can live there for 12 months of the year rather than 10.
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Tyrone O’Sullivan
The approval by Swansea councillors went against a recommendation by officers, although a separate committee of councillors will have the final say in due course.
A thumbs-up will add value to Mr O'Sullivan's chalet, which he calls a bungalow, but he insisted it met criteria for permanent residence and could now be bought in the future by a young family who could not afford otherwise to live in Mumbles and would not want to live anywhere for just 10 months per year.
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"I have to be pleased," said Mr O'Sullivan, who famously spearheaded a miners' buyout of Tower Colliery, Hirwaun, in 1994. "I love it down here. But it's not just about me and my wife.
"Some of these properties are suitable for starter homes. It's crazy they are not looked at as options for young families."
Mr O'Sullivan's property is one of 42 holiday chalets in Langcliffe Park.
The planning report that went before councillors said the restricted occupancy condition applied to all chalets in that part of Gower, which were mainly caravan and hut replacements.
The key issues in Mr O'Sullivan's case were whether his chalet was suitable for year- round occupation and what effect this would have on surrounding occupants.
Mr O'Sullivan bought the chalet for around £90,000 seven years ago, and has spent some £20,000 upgrading it.
The planning report warned that approval of the application "would set a precedent for the permanent occupation of chalets of a similar character in the area which the local authority would find difficult to resist". It added that valuable tourist accommodation would also be lost.
Mr O'Sullivan, who thanked ward councillor Tony Colburn for his advice, stressed he was not out to make a quick buck.
"It's important these (chalet) properties are available for first-time buyers," he said.
Mr Colburn said not all chalets were suitable as homes, and that any application to lift an occupancy condition would be treated on its own individual merits.
Comments
by arnoldlane
Friday, October 26 2012, 8:30AM
“Once again we see an example of why we do not need Councillors.”
by arnoldlane
Friday, October 26 2012, 8:28AM
“This crazy decision has now been rightly in my mind over turned. O Sullivan wont let the matter drop as its not in his make up as most Union leader exhert arrogance so expect him to appeal and keep appealing right to the court of human rights.”
by Dooyah
Thursday, October 11 2012, 8:36PM
“gracie14
I think that 'nepotism' is probably the wrong word here.
Mr. O'Sullivan went to his local Councillor, a right that everyone has, and asked for advice.
I have no idea what was asked or answered.
Mr. O'Sullivan's Councillor is Anthony Colburn (Conservative), Oystermouth Ward.”
by gracie14
Thursday, October 11 2012, 7:44PM
“Well does this mean that we can now all look to our elected members for advice on how to beat the system? In naming the elected member Mr O'Sullivan has highlighted the fact that nepotism is ruling in Swansea. What influence has his past success got to play in this issue?”
by Dan01
Thursday, October 11 2012, 4:24PM
“I personally know of a few people who have purchased similar holiday chalets, especially in scurlage, on the same terms of 10 months occupancy, and regard them as their permanent homes. They go and stay with relatives on extended Xmas visits December and January , one has a camper van and lives in it for two months. Must be very cold. I can see that they too will now be claiming uninterrupted occupancy. I don't think it is the solution to the housing problem, but it is possibly a solution.”
by Dan01
Thursday, October 11 2012, 4:10PM
“It will be difficult to prevent others from following his lead, but of course they are likely to have to spend a fair bit on upgrading their chalets before they get anywhere. Have to say that many of them look like beach huts to me and would require quite a bit of investment to bring them up to permanent housing standard. Perhaps the site should be flattened and redeveloped with affordable modern housing.”
by Stork
Thursday, October 11 2012, 4:10PM
“Dooyah
" the restricted occupancy condition applied to all chalets in that part of Gower, which were mainly CARAVANS and hut replacements".
Tyrone's application will open the floodgates for ALL of Langcliffe Park, and that's just for starters. I've never been inside a property on this site, but I understand that they are all quite "compact".
As we are typing now, I bet there are people all over the Gower busy working out what's the best way to challenge the 10 month rule, on their site. After all, what's sauce for the goose.......”
by brochadav
Thursday, October 11 2012, 3:59PM
“maybe the council would be better off trying to encourage developers to build decent housing on appropriate sites across Swansea so first time buyers had opportunity for a proper home. Does it surprise me a Labour council has helped a former union leader, not at all. I look forward (as an ex union rep) to their full co-operation when I apply for planning permission for my extension, I won't hold my breath (though that's more because it'll be years before I can afford one!!)”
by Dooyah
Thursday, October 11 2012, 2:06PM
“Stork
Mr. O'Sullivan and his wife live in what would be classed as a standard bungalow.
Your post about caravans is alarmist.
Overtaxed
The problem is that many of the bungalows on the street have been bought by people who could not afford properties that have full occupancy rights.”
by Neathboy234
Thursday, October 11 2012, 1:12PM
“GorsseinonJoe i don't think he should have been given the go ahead, i agree with U. If this is allowed to happen before we know it we will have millions of people living like the so called "trailer park trash" that we have in the USA.
BTW it's not his second home, it is his only home.”