A landowner and events manager who have been hosting weddings on the greenbelt without planning permission have spoken out as the council considers enforcement action. Nearby residents had been complaining over the "unauthorised" wedding venue in a wooded clearing near Arnold but the landowner argues it is "not the crime of the century" and enforcement is a waste of time.
Stuart Mills, who owns a forested clearing off the A60 Mansfield Road known as Ramper Covert, has been working with events manager James Aspell to host weddings on the site under the company name 'Sherwood Glade'. Mr Mills has been attempting to get permanent planning permission as far back as 2020, however Gedling Borough Council has consistently turned his plans down due to the impact on the greenbelt.
Mr Mills has therefore been hosting events on the site under temporary use legislation. This General Permitted Development Order (GPDO) allows a landowner to use the site for activities without planning permission, but only for a certain amount of time.
