Father's Off-Grid Pirate Ship Dream Faces Council Planning Battle in Bewdley
A father-of-one who invested his entire life savings into creating an unconventional off-grid home from a pirate ship frame purchased on eBay is now embroiled in a critical planning dispute with local authorities in Worcestershire.
Sam Griffiss, aged 35, is currently residing in his unique wooden structure, which he has affectionately named the Daisy May, situated on a flood plain adjacent to the River Severn in Bewdley. His future, however, hangs in the balance as he awaits a pivotal decision from Wyre District Council regarding planning permission for the property.
From eBay Bargain to Bespoke Home
The extraordinary journey began in November 2024 when Sam spotted the ship frame listed on eBay for a mere £500. "Me and a friend hired a trailer and collected her from London," he recounted. "She was full of water and needed serious work, but she had character."
With a background in the building trade since the age of 17, Sam embarked on an ambitious project. He constructed an extension atop the hull, utilising materials he had accumulated over years. "Building her has been a challenge due to the curved shape," he admitted, noting the structure was only completed at the start of January this year.
His motivation stemmed from a desire to escape the financial pressures of conventional housing. After twelve years in a bricks-and-mortar home, escalating mortgage repayments became unaffordable. "I had a good amount of equity tied up in the house and made the decision to sell up," Sam explained. Remarkably, he now asserts, "Daisy May feels more like home than the house ever did."
The Off-Grid Lifestyle and Community Vision
Life aboard the Daisy May is decidedly rustic. The property features a wood-fired sauna, a shed on stilts, and Sam relies on log burners and a diesel heater for warmth during the harsh winter months. Proximity to the Wyre Forest ensures a ready supply of firewood.
Practical considerations include a compost toilet located in a separate wood cabin, requiring a short walk across a bridge when needed. Being situated near the River Wyre also necessitates flood precautions; Sam has elevated everything on his 100 square metre plot accordingly. "My idea will either be genius or very stupid; only time will tell!" he quipped.
Beyond creating a personal sanctuary, Sam harbours ambitious plans to transform the location into a community wellbeing hub. His Connection Project envisions a centre where visitors can enjoy saunas, cold dips, archery, axe throwing, fishing, and canoe hire on the river. "I have six canoes that I would like to hire out to people," he said.
The Council Conundrum That Could 'Make or Break' His Dream
The major obstacle to realising this vision is the lack of official planning consent. Without it, Sam cannot obtain a formal address, declare the ship as his official residence, generate income from his planned activities, or have his daughter stay overnight.
"I need an address for that, though, and for that, I need planning permission to be on board with what I’m doing," Sam stated, highlighting the catch-22 situation. "Until planning agrees to me living here, I can’t earn any money... Their decision could make or break me - I’ve spent my entire life savings on this."
Wyre District Council has confirmed to reporters that the property is subject to an "active investigation" but declined to comment further on ongoing cases, leaving Sam in a state of anxious limbo.
Despite the uncertainty, Sam remains committed to his charitable endeavours, having previously completed a 40-day fast and a 100-mile walk along the Cotswold Way to raise funds for the Teenage Cancer Trust. He is currently contemplating his next fundraising challenge, even as the fate of his pirate ship home rests in the hands of the local planning authorities.
