Mum faces 'pathetic' court battle after refusing to move vehicles from her own driveway

A mum is facing what she's dubbed a "pathetic" court battle after refusing to move vehicles and floodlights from her own driveway. Jenny Cummings, 44, moved into her home with her husband and two children in February 2021.

After some initial renovations to the property, which includes three acres of farmland, a dispute arose with a neighbour leading to complaints being lodged with the council. "When we first moved in we wanted to renovate and put an extension," she said.

"We had planning, health and safety etc out and it was all fine. We moved into a property three years ago and had problems with our neighbours, who have reported us to the council."

According to Jenny, the issues escalated resulting in an enforcement order from Newport City Council, asking them to stop parking vehicles they use for their vehicle recovery company on their driveway. The council accuses the couple of operating the vehicle recovery service from their home, but Jenny insists this has never been the case.

"We generally park two vehicles - sometimes a truck, sometimes a van - from the recovery company," she explained. "They are the size of vans, not huge HGVs, which we would actually have room for [in our driveway]. We've been told it is because my husband goes out at all hours of night. Now and again there might be a job that comes in between 7 and 7am, but it is only my husband and son running it so there aren't many of those jobs.", reports the Mirror.

She added: "We rent a commercial unit down the road and actually moved here to be closer to the unit, where we have trucks etc. The council say they think we are running a business. We have tried to explain to them we aren't and just park the vehicles here sometimes - does a plumber not take his car home if he gets an emergency job? ".

Jenny also said that they had been told to remove a set of small floodlights on their land, which light up an area where apple trees grow. However, she argues that taking down the lights would be "stupid" and could lead to people tripping over fallen apples in the dark, especially during winter months.

Jenny also alleged that she was instructed to remove a single CCTV camera, which she maintains was installed following vandalism to their property, due to privacy issues. She was also told to dismantle a small cabin in the corner of their land and relocate an unused children's swing to another part of the property.

She asserts they have not adhered to the notice as the council has failed to provide any proof of them operating a business from their home, and she does not believe they have committed any wrongdoing. "We don't believe we are doing anything wrong. We aren't running a business, the camera is there for protection, that cabin is tucked away in a corner and not harming anyone. We think it's stupid to take the floodlights down."

She revealed they are scheduled to appear in court on May 23 for non-compliance with the council notice, which could lead to prosecution. Despite this, she stated they will not be complying.

She mentioned they could have contested the notice but did not do so as her grandson had just been born at the time and it "wasn't a top priority," adding: "In our minds it is pathetic."

Jenny admitted she didn't know the potential fine amount but felt there was little choice other than to appear in court. She added: "I think the only option is to turn up in court. I've spoken to a solicitor who is going to arrange a meeting. As far as I was concerned I am not doing anything wrong."

"We'll definitely be fined. We don't know how much. I suppose if we go to court and they find us guilty, I worry what will happen. My husband would still park on his drive - would we still go to prison then? Would it go that far? We have a yard down the road but to jump in the car and go down there in his oily clothes doesn't make sense."

Jenny also highlighted the noise pollution issue on their street due to heavy vehicles: "On this road, you've got these trucks taking rubbish down to recycling from 6am and our house shakes because of it, but we are used to it. The sound our vehicles make is the exact same as a car would be. We already have noise in this area and we are not contributing to it. It's already here. I have spoken to other neighbours in our area and they have no problem with anything we are doing. It's ridiculous. We are not disrupting neighbours. We have hectic lives. We are in bed at 8pm."

Jenny mentioned her attempts to seek mediation to avoid council reports, expressing the toll the situation has taken on her: "I've lost loads of weight, I'm back and forth to the doctor with stomach problems."

"I asked if it could be stress and they said it could be. I get anxious. My husband is the same. It goes quiet for a while and we forget about it. We have sleepless nights about it. It's just constant. We've got other things in our lives that are more important. We have family members who are ill."

Edinburgh Live has reached out to Newport City Council for their response.