03 February 2024 , 23:08
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A man claims he's been made "homeless" by the local council after the motorhome he resides in was confiscated while he went to the shop.
Jonathan, 31, Golding had been living in a 33-ft long converted Volvo coach, which included double bed, bathroom, oven, and seating area. But Mr Golding says he has now been left "devastated" and destitute after his 30-year-old vehicle was impounded following a dispute with Kirklees Council.
Mr Golding was forced to leave his car in what he described as a "layby" in Huddersfield, West Yorkshire in mid-November when engine problems struck has he drove to a friend's house. he was forced to wait for several weeks until replacement parts arrived from Sweden. When he returned to fix the van, he then discovered a flat battery - which he said he was about to replace when the vehicle was taken away by Kirklees Council on Monday, January 22.
While Mr Golding said the vehicle is "tax and MOT exempt", Kirklees council says it was obstructing the road, was not taxed and did not have a valid MOT - meaning they had no option but to remove it. It is currently being kept in a garage in nearby Mirfield.
But Jonathan, who is unemployed, claims the van was not abandoned, as he was still living in it while it was broken down. He also says the vehicle contained personal possessions, including his clothes. Jonathan told YorkshireLive: "I have been homeless for years and 'sofa surfing'. In November I thought 'why not get a motorhome' which would save me stress, and money. It was my home. I didn't want to believe it. I had been in contact with them (Kirklees) and they knew the situation. They just went ahead and took it."
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He had been living in a 33-ft long converted Volvo coach (YorkshireLive/MEN)He added: "It was my home. I thought I was getting somewhere." After the motorhome was taken, Jonathan says he slept for a couple of nights in the local woods, and is now living with a friend several miles away in Dewsbury. He also believes the situation is badly affecting his mental health, adding: "The worst thing is the council knew that by taking it that they would be taking my home. The council knew they would make me homeless."
Jonathan has been told that it will cost £384 plus an additional £20 charge per day to get his vehicle back, which meant he now owes around £600. He says the motorhome is worth about £4,000, and has sentimental value as well. He was given a deadline of Friday, February 2, to recover the motorhome from storage before it is disposed of, and the Mirror have contacted the council to find out if he acted in time to retrieve it.
A spokesperson for Kirklees Council told Yorkshire Live on Friday: "The safety of residents and commuters on our road network is a top priority for the council. Last week, officers legally removed a large coach, which had been parked on the highway in Fartown for some time, after first being made aware of it in November 2023. The council received numerous complaints about the vehicle. Upon investigation, it became apparent that, as well as obstructing the highway, the vehicle was not taxed and did not have a valid MOT.
Our teams have been in contact with the owner several times to ensure they have the support they need, and they were given the opportunity to move the vehicle to an appropriate location. As the vehicle was not moved by the owner, the council have done the responsible thing and removed it. The owner has been provided with all of the relevant information needed to resolve the issue."