Press Association

Disabled soldier's home approved

A seriously-injured Royal Marine who was refused permission by a local council to build a specially-adpated bungalow will be given the go-ahead this week, a senior Conservative source confirmed.

Tory-run Wealden District Council in East Sussex is "going to make sure it happens", the source said, after both Prime Minister Gordon Brown and Conservative leader David Cameron urged the authority to reverse its decision.

Joe Townsend, 20, lost both his legs, one completely and one to the knee, after stepping on a landmine in February last year while serving in Afghanistan.

He has undergone a succession of operations, with another planned next month, plus rehabilitation at Headley Court in Surrey, but away from his family.

His grandfather David Carter, 72, submitted the application to finance and build the bungalow in paddock land at his home in Hankham Hall Road, Pevensey, East Sussex.

But councillors last month voted by a slim majority to reject the plans incorporating a bathroom and carer's room, deeming them "intrusive", despite listening to Mr Townsend's own arguments first hand.

Mr Brown intervened after the case was taken up by the Noel's HQ programme on Sky1, telling the Noel Edmonds-hosted show that the council "must do the right thing immediately and reconsider this case".

"The whole country owes Joe huge gratitude for the sacrifice he's made for our country. It's unacceptable that he is being stopped from having the home of his choice," the PM said in a statement.

Tory leader David Cameron also sent a message of support to the show, calling for a rethink.

"The military covenant should always be taken into account particularly when dealing with injured soldiers and their families," he said. "I really hope that Wealden Council will rethink their decision."