We hate “off-grid” neighbors who built an “eyesore” house that looks like a junkyard

A GROUP of locals are furious after their ‘off-grid’ neighbors built an ‘eyesore’ house in what looks like a junkyard.

Angry residents are suing Matthew and Charis Watkinson, who built their sustainable home in 2016.

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Their immediate neighbours, Ian and Vivienne Ward, who bought the land giving access to Watkinson’s Beeview Farm, have gone to court to seek a ban on using the circuit.

And another local, Nicky Davies, who lives 100 meters down the mountain, is suing the eco-couple for alleged harassment.

Both cases will be brought to court later this year.

The Watkinsons previously claimed their neighbors did so a “vendetta” against them and that the road was bought “to cut them off”.

But other neighbors told Sun Online it’s the Watkinsons that are causing the problems.

One couple, Gareth and Anne Hughes, accused them of “upsetting everyone in the village” with their ecological development.

Mr Hughes, 64, said: “People were against getting planning permission for the house in the first place because it’s an eyesore.

“They have placed a shipment of old horseboxes and wrecked cars in the middle of an area of ​​natural beauty and historical importance and are calling it a sustainable home. You take the Mickey.

“That up there looks more like a junkyard than a sustainable house.”

“When it first moved in, we expressed concern that its development could result in more water flowing down the mountain during heavy downpours.

“Every time we’ve seen him since then, he’s said things like, ‘Oh don’t worry, I haven’t done rain dances in a while.’

“He describes himself as kind of an eco-hero.”

The Watkinsons have been able to achieve their eco-dreams under the Welsh Government’s One Planet Development Planning Policy – ​​legislation that allows people to build zero-carbon development on greenbelt land where it offers an affordable and sustainable way for them to live and to work.

The house has a human-powered washing machine and a gas stove fueled by horse manure.

Their only expense is the council tax and Matthew, Charis and their children make money by selling eggs from their chickens and ducks.

“Take Mickey”

Ms Hughes, 66, said: “The One Planet laws require them to make most of their income from what they do on the land, but as far as anyone knows their only source of income is selling a few eggs in the country local shop every week.

“Now we’ve heard they want to show people around and advise them on how to use the One Planet Laws to build their own homes on green land – charging them £50 each for the advice.

“That means we’re going to have more people pounding their cars and vans up and down hills to get there. It’s going to be a constant hippie convoy.”

The Watkinsons, meanwhile, have started a GoFundMe page to raise money to hire a lawyer and a barrister to defend the cases against them in court.

The couple previously said: “The current owners are looking to convert these old rights of way to permissive rights of way so they can deny access to some residents and visitors.

“This is unacceptable. These routes must be protected for all present and future generations.

“They’ve already locked a gate to prevent people from using an ancient route to the Commons.”

Their GoFundMe appeal states: “Beeview Farm is a 3-acre site in Pembrokeshire, Wales. We have received planning permission through the Welsh One Planet Development Planning Policy.

“This policy requires that we have an agricultural business, build a zero carbon home, grow most of our own food and live with a low carbon footprint.

“Our neighbors bought our access road and are now threatening to sue us for trespassing and harassment to prevent us from farming and living this way.

“Due to our low-impact, off-grid lifestyle, we do not have the funds to pay for legal defense and so we humbly ask for any amount you can donate, which will go directly to the legal costs associated with the proceeding.”

They have raised £13,200 so far and surpassed their goal of £10,000.

No one could be reached at Beeview Farm for comment.