Brighton councillor given six weeks to remove mobile home after neighbour complaints

A Brighton councillor who installed a mobile home in her front garden without planning permission has six weeks to remove it – or face a potential fine.

Dee Simson, who represents Woodingdean on Brighton and Hove City Council and also serves on its planning committee, has had the caravan at the front of her property in Baywood Gardens for months.

The Conservative councillor was adamant she had not broken any rules – saying the structure was needed to provide temporary shelter for a family member who had fallen on hard times.

But after complaints from neighbours, the local authority launched an investigation.

Officials have now confirmed an enforcement notice has now been served which means she has until July 1 to remove it or risk further action.

Speaking to Latest TV yesterday (Tuesday May 20), Cllr Simson said the vehicle should be gone in two weeks.

She said: “It’s been a nightmare. We have been trying to find a place for it since last summer. I thought we had got somewhere down in Hastings but over winter they changed the criteria and said they could not take caravans from private property. But we’ve found somewhere in Bognor now.”

The Tory councillor has previously said she had asked council officers if she need planning permission before buying the caravan.

Cllr Simson said she received a written note that as long as it was used by a family member and ancilliary to the main residence then no application was required.

She said: “I still stand by what I said originally – for what I used it for, I did not need planning permission and I have not broken any rules.