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Jeremy Paxton built a revolving pad in his garden so he could rotate his helicopter
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Caversham man wins helicopter pad appeal

November 14, 2012

A Caversham man who was told by the council he could use his revolving helicopter pad for “recreational sumo wrestling” but not landing his chopper has won his appeal.

Jeremy Paxton, who lives in The Warren, built the revolving pad in his garden so he could rotate his helicopter and take off into the wind, but did so without planning permission and had to apply to the council retrospectively.

Although Reading Borough Council’s planning committee granted him permission last month, it said he could not use the turntable for his helicopter in case he damaged a nearby willow tree.

At the time, Mr Paxton said that the ruling would mean he would only be able to use the turntable, which is covered in turf and flush with the ground “so it looks like part of the lawn, for dining on, rotating the table to get the best of the sun, table tennis and recreational sumo wrestling”.

Mr Paxton appealed and the result, due to be in his favour, will be heard by Reading’s planning committee tonight.

In his October 29 decision report, planning inspector Peter Bird says: “Whilst the council aims to protect the living conditions of nearby residents and the future of the protected willow, I consider that the imposition of the disputed condition fails to achieve an effective difference for these interests.

“The condition is therefore not only unnecessary, but it results in a somewhat perverse and unreasonable outcome.”

The council looks set to have to pay the full costs of Mr Paxton’s appeal proceedings.

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Didn't he get into trouble over his solar panels too?

Bonnie Nightingale, Reading
27/11/2012 at 15:01

Spanky....What I am saying is that RBC gave such silly reasons in their refusal that they must have known that they would lose an appeal and should have simply given the permission retrospectively, even if there was 'history' with the applicant. As to whether he deliberately ignored the process, I really don't know that, but I must admit if I was in his position I wouldn't have known that planning was required for such a gadget, after all its hardly a building and quite likely can't even be seen by anyone as it is deliberately made to look like the grass lawn in which it sits.

Howard Thomas Common Sense party
18/11/2012 at 21:44

Howard, are you saying that you fully support people that deliberately ignore the planning process and build without permission?

Spanky
16/11/2012 at 07:51

Absolutely right DM.........and the cost to the taxpayer in this case is apparantly circa £30,000. This money has been wasted by RBC because they refused permission,albeit retrospectively, when they had no good reason to do so, other than there was 'history' between RBC and Mr Paxman. This was always going to be the outcome and RBC must have been aware of that when they took their decision. Look at the facts......all he has actually done is to make part of his lawn turn around so that he can take off in a certain direction. Thats it and nothing more. How can that be wrong when he already has permission to land and take off? Absurd waste of public funds!

Howard Thomas Common Sense party
15/11/2012 at 20:41

And all for one damned willow tree. Why does the Council employ so many tree loons. I would say serve them right, but actually it is serving me right as a taxpayer. I am constantly incensed by the many ridiculous planning decisions made by our Council. Please sack the "Tree Officers".

AndyMan, Reading
15/11/2012 at 17:45

This bloke is a pain in the backside. He does not have to inform residents of take off or landing plans - initially seems fair but when you realise his neighbours are a sea scout troup and a canoe club, this means they are in danger every time they are on the Thames.

If YOU were a parent of one of these children would you think it OK for this idiot to approach and land a helicopter right over and next to, 40 young novice canoeists?

Rincewind, Reading
15/11/2012 at 13:34

Let's blame him AND the council for costing RBC residents money. That would be fairer, since both behaving idiotically is what led to all this hassle/cost to the public.

Nowtas, West Berkshire
15/11/2012 at 10:27

RBC have a Vendetta against this guy. He took them for thousands a few years ago for some bulls*it planning thing.

He drinks in the Moderation and is actually a nice guy, very down to earth and not a "look at me and all my money type of guy"

Well done, good win.

love buddha, Berkshire
14/11/2012 at 21:10

Good win

saddiq iqbal
14/11/2012 at 19:31

What a great story x made me smile

-SunnyMay-, Reading
14/11/2012 at 19:06

@Interested Party, Reading

Sounds like a VERY interesting guy!

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2208711/Bored-old-commute-Meet-businessman-flies-work-Bond-style-jet-pack.html

Daniel in Reading
14/11/2012 at 18:42

This whole sad story smacks of jealousy, some rich bloke wants a turntable and some poor people say no, rich bloke wins on appeal.

Seriously, what difference does it make, he's been landing there for some time so it's nothing new.

The Racing Snake
14/11/2012 at 17:48

Sounds like an interesting guy. Congratulations on his relatively recent victory over the taxman (see Water Park Watch and VAT tribunals) - and now over more silly bureaucrats. Hard to be a critic about someone who's clearly highly motivated and successful - but a helicopter? And not even a big one? And in the Warren? And in that shirt? Has anyone seen the postage stamp on which the machine occassionally perches - like a minor thunderbird about to be swallowed into some bunker....

Interested Party, Reading
14/11/2012 at 17:48

Spanky, subject to only a few conditions you can actually open an airstrip anywhere you want. If you own a field and it is not in controlled airspace you can create an unlicensed strip simply by mowing the grass, putting a windsock up and notifying the caa you are going to do so.

whitespirit
14/11/2012 at 16:10

As I understand it, he's been landing his helicopter at his house for years - all quite legally. This is not planning permission to allow him to start landing it. It is planning permission for a hidden under the ground turntable that allows him to turn the helicopter round on the ground to make takeoff easier. It doesn't look any different to before, and it is safer than before. I don't even see why planning permission comes in to it given that it looks the same as before. What a waste of our money.