AN exasperated dad stands in his empty drive after removing all 'dilapidated' vehicles on council orders but vows to fight on for the right to park on his own driveway.

Mike Perkins' driveway in Cranham Drive, Warndon, Worcester, now stands vacant as he ponders whether he will ever be able to park his beloved vintage campervan there again.

Meanwhile, his 'David and Goliath' battle with Worcester City Council rumbles on with an appeal hearing due to take place on May 14.

Mr Perkins was served with a notice under section 2015 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990, ordering him to improve the condition of the front garden by November 20 last year.

The 63-year-old homeowner has already removed his pride and joy - the 1972 Ford Transit Landliner CI Motorhome - from the driveway which now sits parked on the road after being restored to a roadworthy condition. 

The father-of-three also removed his Mini pickup and trailer on Wednesday,  taking it to a unit in Bromsgrove, leaving his driveway totally empty.

Worcester News: TIDY: Mike Perkins of Cranham Drive, Worcester, has now cleared his drive of 1972 Ford Transit Landliner CI Motorhome and a Mini pickup on a trailer TIDY: Mike Perkins of Cranham Drive, Worcester, has now cleared his drive of 1972 Ford Transit Landliner CI Motorhome and a Mini pickup on a trailer (Image: James Connell/Newsquest)

The former Autograss racer said he had been working on the Ford Landliner 'every dry day' since February to make it roadworthy and now seeks to restore the Mini pickup too, branding the city council's actions 'a sledgehammer to crack a nut'. 

"I would still like to be able to park by campervan in my driveway than take up a parking space on the road. I want the right to park on my own driveway.

Worcester News: SOLUTION: Mike Perkins has now parked his campervan on Cranham Drive instead of his own drive where it is taking up the equivalent of two parking spaces, saying Worcester City Council left him with little other choice SOLUTION: Mike Perkins has now parked his campervan on Cranham Drive instead of his own drive where it is taking up the equivalent of two parking spaces, saying Worcester City Council left him with little other choice (Image: James Connell/Newsquest)

"It is more of a nuisance on the road, taking up a parking space or two, than it is on my driveway. This is now about the right to park my campervan on my own driveway rather than on the road," he said.

Mr Perkins said he had already cleared some of the mess on the drive before the first case management hearing at Kidderminster Magistrates Court in February in what he called 'the spirit of co-operation' with Worcester City Council who served him with the original notice.

"Life is a compromise - and I hoped that would be a sufficient compromise to stop their court action," he said.

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He said there were four council officers at this court hearing and a barrister while he represented himself and appeared in court alone. 

In documents seen by Worcester News, the council said it received 'numerous complaints about the appearance of the front garden' due to the 'dilapidated vehicle' which has been assessed as 'having a detrimental effect on local amenity'. Mr Perkins said he had yet to see disclosure of the complaint.

Mr Perkins lodged an appeal against the notice served by Worcester City Council on August 17 last year. He was warned the notice comes into effect on September 20 last year and he had two months to comply.

In a letter from Worcester City Council written on April 30, they said he had complied with 'part' of the requirements of the notice and asked him if he intends to comply with the remainder and continue his appeal.

A spokesperson for Worcester City Council said: "Mr Perkins is providing his version of events to the media, but as he has chosen to put the matter before the courts, the council will await the outcome of that process.”