An extended controversy over self-built extra room
MAN FACES THREAT OF COURT IF HE DOESN’T REMOVE IT
A MAN has been threatened with prosecution unless he knocks down an extension neighbours have branded a “hillbilly shack”.
Roy Markie built the ramshackle extension using bits of old wood and glass and says it’s the perfect place to “potter about and enjoy a tab”.
But Gateshead Council says it has been built illegally and must come down.
The 47-year-old has started the demolition but the council says he’s taking so long to do it, it is planning on taking him to court.
That was apparently news to Roy. “The first time I’d heard about it was when you [The Chronicle] told me!” said the puzzled window fitter.
The extension’s core was already present, he claims. It was the addition of a roof which made it a planning no-no.
He states the roof is now gone, adding: “I thought that was enough, but apparently not.
“But nobody has actually come out at any time and said to me, ‘Look, mate, this is what’s wrong.’
“They come when I’m at work, take loads of pictures and then call me after.
“I’ve asked for them just to come and explain to me what they want doing but nobody will actually come out and speak face to face and I think that’s part of what is wrong.” But the council insists it has been crystal clear about what needs to go – and by when.
It handed Roy an enforcement notice back in March following complaints about the extension’s appearance.
After that expired, it gave him a further 21 days to get it down. But as it isn’t fully down, council papers state “a prosecution is now being filed”.
His neighbours are split on the extension. Several said Roy – who is also working on several cars outside the Wythburn Place home – was a “genuinely nice fellow” who also used the extension to help with his motor tinkering. But others couldn’t wait to see it turned to rubble. “It is just higgledy-piggledy – it is an eyesore” said a resident from an adjacent street, who didn’t want to give her name.
“It is pretty much just a hillbilly hut. It is disgusting.
“It is quite a nice area and it ruins the appearance of it.”
The council agrees, stating that the hut is “detrimental to the appearance” of High Fell.
It said: “The individual has built a structure without planning permission.
“As the structure is detrimental to the appearance of the area he has been given notice to take it down (notice was given on March 19 and the structure needed to be taken down by July 19).
“As he has not taken the structure down we are taking steps to prosecute him for non-compliance.”
Roy accepts it went up without permission, but says he has submitted a planning application – for a replacement.
That process cost him “£1,000 at the very minimum” but it means he should be able to keep an extension.
But the council add: “Regardless of the planning permission which has been granted, he still needs to remove the original structure.”
And if he doesn’t that could mean court, something he is keen to avoid.
“If I’ve done wrong, I hold my hands up and take it on the chin,” he said. “But it just seems like a waste of taxpayers’ money when it is coming down.
“All I did was put a roof on what was already there.
“I just want to know what they want of me now, as nobody is making it very clear.”