Can I move with my daughter closer to family support?

[Frankiegrace]

I currently live alone with my daughter and we don’t have any family close by, my parents and extended family live one hour train ride away but it’s not the same as having them close
my daughters father lives in between here and France and his visits are sporadic despite me asking for set dates, it’s quite unsettling for our child. His total time in the UK Is probably around 4-5 months per years. Even when he’s here he’s quite pre occupied, I take her to see him in France consistently three times per year.
I want to move to my home town as it’s more affordable (I live In London now) and also to have a support network and since my daughter is 5 I want to do it sooner rather than later so it’s not too much of an upheaval for her.
he is point blank refusing, we have no CA orders in place and he’s on the birth certificate, I’ve told him I’ll still travel with her three times a year and obviously he can see her anytime when he’s back in the UK but he’s insisting we stay in London as that’s where he stays when he comes. I don’t know what I can do?

Does he have an actual address in London, or does he just stay short term rent something when he's over here? Because I would think that if the latter, he really doesn't have a leg to stand on.

Go see a lawyer, but I suspect they’ll say you can move. The guy doesn’t even live in the country, and he has a preference for London. Doesn’t seem like good reasons

Yes you can move. You don't need his permission. You also don't have to take her to see him unless that's actually what you want to do.

Just move. There is nothing he can do and once you’re settled it would be hard for him to argue it’s in child’s best interest to move back. Move before she is settled in a school. Don’t ask his permission just go

He does have an address In London, it’s through his work and it’s around the corner from me (it’s a house share though)

also my daughter is already at school about to start year one, so I would have to change school

In your circumstance I’d just move, you’re already facilitating everything for him!

He would have to apply for a prohibitive steps order to stop you which he might not be granted. I would move and take the chance that he doesn’t bother or if he does he won’t win.

Document how often he has seen your DC in the last year when he’s been in the UK.

I think you and your daughter would have a better life in your hometown.
At 5 she is definitely young enough to move and make friends.
She would probably be happier to be closer to her/your family.
I don’t think her df can complain as, presumably, he made the choice to substantially live in another country. Even when in England he’s, again presumably, working for most of the time anyway.

I’m another one saying move and don’t mention it to him yet. Like you say she’s young enough that moving won’t cause a big upheaval in her life yet. it will be much harder for her in a few years.

I would have moved a long time ago! And I certainly wouldn’t be paying for trips to France to see a bloke who couldn’t be bothered to make any kind of effort himself.

She would benefit more from regular contact with grandparents and extended family than irregular contact with her dad.

A genuinely good Dad would understand this and make compromises - why can't he take the 1h train ride to his daughter?

It's in her best interest, and yours.

Presumably you're under no legal obligation to take her to France three times a year? You could tell him that if he tries to block the move out of London, you'll stop taking her to France.

I probably wouldn't even be asking him. He seems completely self obsessed, so take a leaf out of his book and put you and your ds first. Don't live your life worrying wether it falls into his plans, if he wants to be a dad he'll have to make a bit more effort.