Man told he cannot use part of his garden after 30 years

Summarised from 3 outlets · Updated 15 Nov, 12:01 · Archive

Paul Knappett has been refused permission by Chichester District Council to use a section of land behind his property as a garden despite claiming continuous use since 1999.

Paul Knappett has been told by Chichester District Council that he cannot lawfully use a section of land behind his property at Kellys Nursery in Bell Lane, Birdham, as a garden.

Mr Knappett had sought confirmation from the council that the entirety of a lawn behind his property, comprising a fenced-off section and a larger section directly behind it, could continue to be used as a domestic garden. He claimed that he and his family had used the whole area as a garden since at least July 1999.

Chichester District Council refused a certificate for lawful use. Council officers said the evidence provided did not establish continuous garden use across the whole site for ten years. They accepted that the fenced-off section had been demonstrated as a garden, but said there were gaps in the evidence for the rest of the land. Mr Knappett had argued that his family's use of the land, which included children's play, badminton, caring for dogs and family gatherings, had continued throughout the period. He noted that his family had previously lived in a mobile home on the lawn before moving into a house on the site around 20 years ago.

How it is being reported

• Man is ordered to stop using part of his garden after nearly 30 years - here's whyA man has been refused permission to use a section of land as his garden despite arguing that he had been doing so for more than a quarter of a centurySwindon Advertiser · 15 Nov, 11:36
• Man is ordered to stop using part of his garden after nearly 30 years - here's whyA man has been refused permission to use a section of land as his garden despite arguing that he had been doing so for more than a quarter of a centuryGazette & Herald · 15 Nov, 11:36
• Man is ordered to stop using part of his garden after nearly 30 years - here's whyA man has been refused permission to use a section of land as his garden despite arguing that he had been doing so for more than a quarter of a centuryWiltshire Times · 15 Nov, 11:36

In this story: Paul Knappett · Chichester District Council · Birdham · West Wittering

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