Family has lived in the middle of a roundabout for 40 years and refuses to move
Living in the center of a busy roundabout for the past 40 years, Clwyd knows better than anyone how challenging it can be.
Clwyd claims that the real inconvenience of living there is when people rush to work in the morning, return home in the afternoon, or when the mail is delivered.
His parents purchased the house in Wales 60 years ago and refused to move when the roundabout was built in 1980.
David John and Eirian Howatson moved into the house back in 1960 and wanted to build another house on the same property but were denied permission. Despite the rejection, they chose to stay.
“We don’t need to worry about neighbors, but the roundabout can be busy, and it can be difficult to have grandchildren visit,” Clwyd says, according to LADbible.
Clwyd explains that he has a large family – seven children and 12 grandchildren – so the property can get crowded, as it is located right in the middle of it all.
Additionally, Clwyd admits that it isn’t the easiest task to have packages delivered.
“When we give instructions, it’s fine, but when we call and tell them that we live in the middle of a roundabout, there’s always silence on the other end of the line.”
Despite the challenges, Clwyd and his family have managed to adapt to their unique living situation. Over the decades, they have experienced traffic passing by their front yard, dealt with the noise and inconvenience during rush hour, and embraced the peculiarities of their home.
For some, the idea of living in a roundabout might be absurd, but for Clwyd’s family, it has become their way of life. They find comfort and familiarity in their unconventional surroundings, and moving elsewhere after all these years seems out of the question.
Their refusal to move raises questions about the conflicting desires of individuals and public planning. While the Howatson family has made the conscious decision to remain in their home, it begs the question of whether authorities could have done more to address their concerns or find an alternative solution that would have accommodated both the family and the need for a roundabout.
Their case also brings attention to the practical challenges they face on a daily basis. From navigating the complexities of receiving deliveries to finding peace and quiet among the constant flow of traffic, the family has had to make adjustments that most homeowners would find unimaginable.
Despite the inconveniences, Clwyd cherishes the memories they have created over the years. Celebrations in the garden often include guests marveling at their unique address, and the family takes pride in their ability to adapt and thrive in their roundabout home.
While it may be difficult for some to understand why the Howatson family insists on remaining in their house, it is a testament to the resiliency of individuals and their ability to find contentment in the most extraordinary circumstances.
As the story of the family living in the middle of a roundabout continues to captivate people’s attention, it serves as a reminder that homes are not solely defined by their location or surroundings. For Clwyd’s family, their house is a place filled with love, cherished memories, and a unique story that has unfolded through the years.
So, as long as the Howatson family continues to find joy amidst the chaos of the roundabout, it seems they will remain firmly planted – quite literally – in the middle of their own little world.