It IS the White Stuff! Millionaire says his ‘eyesore’ now legal
THE millionaire founder of the White Stuff brand is refusing to tear down a development built without permission at a beauty spot – as the council left it more than four years to take action.
Sean Thomas claims that, despite twice being refused retrospective permission for a two-storey double garage, tennis court and skate park, it must now be allowed to stay.
Now, the South Hams Society conservation charity is furious that local planners have ‘dragged their heels.’
The 2016 development on farmland behind Mr Thomas’s house at Gerston Point near Salcombe, Devon, was criticised for being an ‘eyesore’ within the South Devon Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
After being refused planning permission in 2019, Mr Thomas and his wife were ordered to return the land to its former condition. But no work was carried out, and discussions continued with South Hams district council.
The fashion and lifestyle brand magnate then submitted new plans, including planting more than 1,000 trees. But this was also rejected last year. Now, Mr Thomas has applied for a certificate of lawfulness because the four-year time limit for enforcement has past.
A spokesman for the South Hams Society said the council’s failure to act sent the wrong message.
He added: ‘The overall impression is that the owners have no respect for either the landscape in which they are privileged to live or the law.’
A MAN stabbed twice in the chest when mistaken for a gang member remains unconscious in hospital nearly a year on, a court heard.
Ahmad Torfi, 21, was given open heart surgery at the roadside after being knifed outside a takeaway by drill rapper Joshua Erorh, 18, known as Lil MDot.
The killer thought Mr Torfi was part of a rival gang and later posted a music video online to boast about the attack, mentioning the victim’s food order.
Mr Torfi was left brain damaged and sister Forough, 23, says ‘death would almost be a mercy’ for him.
Sharing pictures of her brother in hospital, the salon owner said: ‘People don’t understand the consequences of stabbing someone. The pain and suffering Ahmad endures is beyond words.
‘Doctors told us to say our goodbyes, but he’s not giving up. I want people to hear what an amazing guy he is rather than talk about the boy who stabbed him.
‘Ahmad was never violent or aggressive. No one hated him.’
The football steward (pictured) was knifed outside After Hours chicken shop, south-east London, on March 14 last year. He was with his twin brother and their girlfriends when Erorh launched his unprovoked attack. ‘Ahmad looked at his twin and said “I’m going to die. I’m scared, bro.” Those were his last words,’ his sister said. The family has set up a GoFundMe appeal to help pay for specialist care, she added. ‘Ahmad used to tell me he’d be rich and famous by 30 and buy mum a castle. I believed he’d go far,’ she said.
Erorh, of Grays, Essex, was convicted of grievous bodily harm with intent.
He will be sentenced next month at Snaresbrook crown court.