BY THE BOOK
I turned a caravan into a homework study for my grandkids – it’s parked outside my home but now I’m facing a £2,500 fine
A MAN who transformed a caravan into a home school for his grandchildren outside his house has been slapped with a £2,500 fine.
Kevin Hufton, 51, has been ordered to move the make-shift study out side home in Huddersfield or face the whopping penalty.
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Kirklees Council has warned Kevin to move the caravan by February 4.
The frustrated grandfather said his grandkids are devastated and won't have anywhere to do their school work.
Kevin said: "I bought it in lockdown to help my grandkids with homeschooling. I have put a desk, a chair and a printer in there for them. I have even put a map up on the wall.
"My grandson does his homework in the caravan because there is no room in the house for the kids to play.
"My other grandchild comes down and plays in there too. He is eight and has Down Syndrome. They are really are upset because they like playing in it."
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Kevin has lived on Keat Street for over 15 years and said he's confused about why he's been he now needs to move his caravan, as none of his neighbours spoke to him directly.
Meanwhile, the council said they received "a number of issues and complaints", despite Kevin saying he's unaware of any issues raised by neighbours.
He told ExaminerLive: "None of my neighbours have complained and it’s not restricting the street. It’s not on yellow lines. There are no parking restrictions on the street.
";I have always had a caravan. I have always parked it outside my house and I have never had any problems or complaints before.
"It is not causing anyone any problems. I don’t know why it is such an issue all of a sudden. It has made me feel angry."
Kevin claims he's been told to move the caravan because it's been stationary for over a year, saying it's because he's had numerous holidays cancelled due to Covid-19.
He said: "We do go away in the caravan usually, but we have had three caravanning holidays cancelled because of Covid.
"I am being told that because it has not moved I can’t have it outside my house, but I haven't been able to go away."
Councillor Naheed Mather, a cabinet member for the environment, said neighbours had reported the property for the large amount of waste left outside Kevin's home.
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Mr Mather said: "Officers have spoken with Mr Hufton and issued letters and notices in recent months with the latest requesting the waste on the property, and on the unadopted highway, be removed and disposed of correctly, removal of the caravan and to stop dismantling vehicles at this address.
"Although some of the waste has been cleared, some remains.
"With respect to the caravan, this is being stored on the highway and has been since August 2021.
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The CPN highlighting the above has been issued under legislation relating to the Antisocial Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014.
"The most recent notice gives the resident till February 4 to rectify the issues outlined above."
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