Thank you for standing with us. We have an important update to share.

We are disappointed to report that our planning appeal has been refused. This is a setback, and we won't pretend otherwise. However, we want to be absolutely clear: we are not giving up.

We are continuing our fight through a new legal route — a Lawful Development Certificate (LDC). An LDC is a formal legal mechanism that allows us to prove, through evidence, that our land has been used as a residential garden and should be treated as such in law. Unlike a planning application, an LDC is not a matter of discretion — if the evidence demonstrates lawful use, the certificate must be granted.

We believe the facts are firmly on our side:
✅ Our land has functioned as a family garden since the original planning permission for our house was granted
✅ East Cambridgeshire District Council's own officers previously described it as a 'large rear garden'
✅ Courts have confirmed that the size of a garden is not a relevant factor in determining curtilage

This is the right path forward, and your continued support matters enormously. Every signature on this petition demonstrates to the Council, and to any decision-maker reviewing our case, that the community stands behind common sense and fairness in planning.

If you haven't already, please share this petition with friends, family, and neighbours. The more voices behind us, the stronger our case.

Thank you for your solidarity. We will keep you updated every step of the way.