A HOMEOWNER has lost her bid to be allowed to use a log cabin on her drive as a holiday let.

Kimberly Sumner was granted planning permission for the cabin, which is on a concrete plinth, in 2022 when her local council accepted its classification as a caravan and that it would be for residential use by friends and family.

But when Ms Sumner, who also uses the cabin for violin practice, applied for change of use permission so it could be let to holidaymakers that was denied.

She then appealed to Planning and Environment Decisions Wales but independent planning inspector Lowri Hughson-Smith dismissed the appeal over flooding fears.

The inspector said it is agreed by both Ms Sumner and Monmouthshire County Council the cabin is a building but the inspector found its location on the drive at The Old Forge on Main Road, Portskewett is at risk of tidal flooding.

Ms Hughson-Smith said letting the cabin out to holidaymakers, rather than friends and family, heightened the risk should a flood occur.

She stated in her written report: “Family and friends may use the main dwelling as refuge, whereas a tourism use would involve unconnected occupants without access to the main dwelling, and its upper floors.

“A condition limiting the occupancy of the cabin to 50 per cent of the year would not overcome this fundamental difference, nor is it reasonable or enforceable to require the appellant to always be on site. Accordingly, the risks to future occupiers would be materially greater than under the existing ancillary residential use.”

The inspector was also critical of the Flood Consequence Assessment report that had been submitted as part of the appeal which she said lacked evidence to support a claim a railway embankment would be an “effective defence” and failed to address the flood risk to the site access.

As well as refusing the application as it is at odds with Welsh planning policy on flooding Monmouthshrie County Council also said it didn’t meet its policies on conversion of buildings in the open countryside with the site right on the edge of Portskewett’s boundary.

But while Ms Hughson-Smith stated the development is “technically in conflict” with the policy she said it wouldn’t detract from from the character and appearance of the countryside as the site is immediately adjacent to the main road through Portskewett and opposite a hairdressers and convenience shop and within a cluster of residential buildings.

The inspector said she dismissed the appeal as the “harm to future occupiers due to flood risk would be significant” which she said was a “compelling reason” in reaching her decision.

In her application Ms Sumner stated she only intended using the cabin for lettings when, and if, the application was approved.