A ‘cramped and contrived’ eight-bedroom farmhouse has been illegally used as a holiday apartment for half a decade before the council caught wind.
The Old Dairy Accommodation in Tillingham, that can go for £725 a night, has been available to let for large groups since as early as 2019.
But the owners of the old barn which can house 16 people had not updated their planning permissions for it to be used commercially.
The converted historic farm building was originally agreed to be used as seasonal worker accomodation a decade ago but now Maldon Council are considering the change of use later this week.
However, the council’s planning officer was concerned there was ‘insufficient evidence as to the need for the development’.
While the farmhouse is advertised as ‘spacious’ set with a living room and dining area, the council condemned it as ‘cramped and contrived’.
They added that ‘the ratio of bedrooms in comparison to breakout and socialising communal space gives rise to amenity concerns’ and gatherings outdoors could lead to noise and disturbance issues.
Maldon District Council then highlighted that the farmhouse is not ‘suitably located, situated in the open countryside over 1km from the nearest settlement, with no pedestrian, cycle or sustainable modes of transport available’.
The Old Dairy Accommodation in Tillingham has been illegally used as a holiday apartment for up to six years
The old barn, which can go for £725 a night, has been available to let for large groups since as early as 2019
The converted historic farm building was originally agreed to be used as seasonal worker accomodation a decade ago
Again, the house has been advertised as ‘conveniently located’, only 44km from London Southend Airport, 34km from Chelmsford Train Station and42 km from Freeport Braintree and Hylands Park.
Bradwell-On-Sea is also 5 minutes by car with beautiful walks and a beach, the owners wrote.
Parking was also an issue, as without a survey and marked bays, ‘the number of parking spaces available in conjunction with the commercial business is unknown’.
The currently unused gated entrance also compounded an unsuccessful proposal of ‘adequate parking’.
The site is also a ‘working farm’ and home to a business that buys, sells and refurbishes machinery.
A booking.com listing described it as ‘an ideal space for large groups to be comfortable and well rested in this spacious and unique property’.
It continued: ‘Surrounded by beautiful countryside with a secure free parking on site. Traditional village pubs with many serving food or take away’s available near by. Bradwell-On-Sea 5 minutes by car with beautiful walks and a beach.
‘Private space and access to the property located on a working farm with tractors and machinery in operation.
‘8 Bedrooms in Total: Rooms 1-4 = Twin beds Rooms 5 & 6 = Double Beds Rooms 7 = Twin Room Room 8 = King Bed. Each bedroom complete with a wardrobe, bedside table, lamp, chair, bedding & towels. Will sleep a total of 16 people.
‘Large living room with sofas, table and a TV ideal space for everyone to be together. Kitchen area is fully equipped with cooker, fridges, dishwasher and utensils plus a washing machine and tumble dryer in the utility room.
‘Courtyard: A large private courtyard ideal for eating/drinking outside in the summer.
‘Guest access: Easy private access at the front of the building with plenty of parking spaces for cars, vans or buses on site and around the local area.
‘Other things to note: The Old Dairy Accommodation is located on a working farm with big machinery operating and a repair workshop near by. During the week from Monday to Friday 8am-6pm there will be people working on the farm.’
