THE Conservative MP for Wyre Forest has allegedly been living in a house near Tenbury for 10 years in breach of an agricultural occupation clause.

Addison Rees Planning Consultancy Ltd has submitted a Certificate of Lawfulness for occupation of property in breach of agricultural occupancy restriction.

In documents submitted to Malvern Hills District Council, the firm says that, since March 7, 2011, a property in Bickley, near Tenbury Wells, has been let to Mark Garnier and his wife Caroline, an office manager for the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority.

It was originally an Assured Shorthold Tenancy that was put in place for a six month period, and been left to roll on periodically.

However, according to the firm, the home has been occupied in breach of condition one of the planning permission which was originally granted.

The condition states: “The occupation of the dwelling shall be limited to a person solely or mainly employed, or last employed, in the locality in agriculture as defined in Section 221 (1) of the Town and Country Planning Act 1962 (Section 290 of the Act of 1971) or in forestry or a dependent of such a person residing within him (but including a widow or widower of such a person).”

The four-bedroom property is owned by the Hogan family. Richard Banks, of Herbert Banks Land & Estate Agents, has confirmed that the firm has acted or the Hogan family for a number of years, with one of its roles being the lettering of the property.

"We have let this property several times but most recently it has been let to a Mr Mark Robert Timothy Garnier MP and Mrs Caroline Garnier," said Mr Banks.

"They have resided in this property since the commencement of their tenancy on March 7, 2011. The tenancy is an Assured Shorthold Tenancy that was initially put in place for a six month period and which has been left to roll on a a periodic Assured Shorthold Tenancy thereafter.

"I am aware that Mr and Mrs Garnier still reside in the property. There has been no void period since the commencement of Mr and Mrs Garnier's tenancy.

"As such (for a consecutive period of over 10 years) the property has been occupied in breach of the Agricultural Occupancy Restriction."

Knighton on Teme Parish Council have no objection to the application and wish to make no comment.

The Garnier family declined to comment when approached by the Tenbury Wells Advertiser.