Our neighbors' garden shed is 'filthy', but the municipality will not let it collapse

FURIOUS villagers claim their neighbour's old garden shed is 'filthy and dangerous'. Even he agrees, but the council won't let them demolish it.

Residents in Martham, near Great Yarmouth, are battling local authorities for permission to demolish or move the 200-year-old abandoned building.

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The barn is on land owned by a local farmer, who is not concerned about the barn being demolished.

Despite being considered a serious hazard to motorists because it is extremely close to the road on a country bend, executives have argued that it could be of “beneficial use”.

A planning inspector also backed their decision to keep the single-storey farmhouse where it is now.

Homeowners in the area have since taken action, arguing that the building is not historic enough to be preserved and is beyond repair.

The centuries-old monument has been patched up in recent years and replaced with old asbestos plates.

An angry local resident said: 'There have been numerous near misses and scrapes outside the shed – and it is not unusual to find wing mirrors on the road that have been ripped off at close range.

“It is an old building that is in poor condition. The owner hasn't used it and many people don't see the problem with tearing it down.”

Veteran councilor Paul Hooper said: 'The shed as it is now poses a serious traffic risk – it is on a blind bend and the road is so narrowed at that point that school buses have to pass through.

“There have been a lot of small scrapes in that spot – one with a school bus – and a major accident is about to happen on the corner where the shed is.

“The parish council believes that the demolition of the barn and the reconstruction of the road should be given priority.

'And despite what the district council says, it has no local or architectural value, nor is it a prominent feature in the landscape.

“All you see from the road is a solid brick wall and an asbestos roof.

“There are a few windows but they were installed in the 1950s so their historical value and importance are questionable.

“It has been rebuilt so many times over the years that very little of the original building remains – there are many barns around the village which are more historic and in better condition.

“Large agricultural vehicles and buses pass through the village and major accidents are bound to happen on this corner.

“The redevelopment of the road outweighs any historical importance the shed may have.”

A surveyor said the council has already refused permission to turn it into a house and it must be demolished.

They added: “The council has the power to allow such buildings to be converted into homes but has refused permission in this case and clearly sees no future for it as a home.

“But they should have given more weight to the road safety issue – and the potential dangers.

“I understand that the shed has been hit by passing buses in the past.”

A spokesperson for Great Yarmouth Borough Council said: “The council, as a local planning authority, has long been concerned about the loss of the shed and whilst we note that there are some supporters of its demolition, the council is pleased that the Planning Inspectorate has noted its importance to the area and setting of the village.

“[They] have endorsed our policy that encourages the preservation and renovation of such barns for beneficial use.”