Scots couple 'raging' after council demand they demolish £20k garden shed

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A Scots couple have been left 'raging' after being told by the council they will have to demolish their £20,000 garden shed.

Catherine Curran and Martin Keyes, from Greenock, were left stunned when they discovered planners had refused retrospective planning consent for the £20,000 garden house, which was built less than three years ago.

Despite making changes to address Inverclyde Council's previous concerns, it was decided that the two metre high shed was to come down - a decision the couple only learned of from the local newspaper.

With planning officers now claiming it has a "detrimental impact" on a neighbouring property, the couple have warned the council they will take them all the way to fight the decision, and "under no circumstances" will the building be torn down.

Martin, 52, who lives in Gateside Grove with Catherine, said: "They didn't even tell us that it had been refused. We found out in the Greenock Telegraph.

"It is absolutely ridiculous that we have been refused, it has been here for three years. We have put in extra insulation to keep any noise in. It was professionally built and we were told we didn't need planning permission.

"But under no circumstances will we be taking it down, I will go to court and do what we can to fight the decision. I can promise you the shed is not coming down."

The couple have used the outbuilding for gatherings with friends and Catherine also spends time there on her own. Catherine, 50, who works in Inverclyde Royal Hospital, added: "We are absolutely raging, I feel so upset about the decision taken by the council.

"I was stunned to get a very intimidating letter in August this year telling us we need to get planning permission.

"But we didn't expect it to be refused. We had a visit from the council, the inspector seemed happy enough and didn't have a problem. Next thing it was refused."

The couple made some changes to address concerns including replacing the window so that they can't see into neighbouring gardens. But they were left stunned last month at the council's decision.

Catherine added: "But for them not to even get back to us about it, tell us to face to face or send us a letter. We read about it in the Greenock Telegraph. We have been treated like a piece of rubbish.

"This is one of the most stressful things that has ever happened, it is unbelievable the pressure it puts on you. Our garden is beautiful and we have spent so much money to turn it into something.

"I can't believe a decision like this could ruin it. I have stayed here for 22 years, it is a great place to stay."

Environment and regeneration director at Inverclyde Council Stuart Jamieson said it did not meet the 'safe and pleasant' criteria and had a detrimental impact because of the size and proximity to the garden. The council said there was a complaint recorded about the planning application prior to February 2022.

The report also indicated that a site inspection had taken place with alternative options given to the applicant, including the removal of the structure altogether or relocation. But the applicants opted to submit an application for the outbuilding at its current location.

Jamieson said in the report: "Given that the applicant has chosen to retain the structure in situ despite options being provided for relocation in advance of submission of the current application, a request has not been made of them to relocate the outbuilding during the assessment of this current application."

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