From left Ken Thomas,
Jennifer Walton and Gareth Pembridge
Loft conversions have become
increasingly popular in recent years – but can sometimes lead to
major problems. This was the case for someone who attended the third
Harding Evans Solicitors / South Wales Argus legal roadshow in
Bassaleg last week.
The Argus reader spoke to one of the solicitors on hand and said
that his conversion was given approval by the Council, but required
a few amendments. He consequently hired a builder to carry out the
work.
After the work had been completed a resident complained to the
Council and planning inspectors viewed the conversion and confirmed
that it did not incorporate the amendments required as the builders
had followed the original set of plans.
The reader was advised to
contact the council immediately and apply for retrospective planning
which, if successful, would allow the conversion to remain. If the
application was unsuccessful the conversion would have to be taken
down.
The legal team of Pauline Kent, Anna Maddox and Janine Griffiths
also helped a number of other people during the evening and advised
on several employment issues, an accident at work and a possible
personal injury claim as a result of a road traffic accident.
In another case one Argus reader who has lived in his home for over
40 years applied to buy the freehold. He contacted a property
management company and started to pay monthly instalments. Several
months later he was informed by the company that their client did
not own the freehold, as was originally thought, and consequently
returned all his payments.
The company also said that they had spoken to the Land Registry for
Wales to try and clarify who owned the freehold, but were told that
the freehold title for the property was unregistered. This is quite
an unusual case and the reader was advised to speak to a solicitor
who specialised in planning law who would hopefully be able to
resolve who actually owns the freehold.
Zep Bellavia, Managing Partner of Harding Evans commented “The team
were busy all evening and every year we are delighted with the
number of people who come along to the Bassaleg roadshow for expert
legal advice”.
The roadshows are coming to an end with the last one taking place
tomorrow at Cwmbran Stadium. Three solicitors will be on hand from
6pm – 8pm to offer free and confidential legal advice. There is no
need to make an appointment and anyone can come along.
Where to find the roadshows
Tomorrow Cwmbran Stadium, Cwmbran – off Ty Coch Way
