Just offal! Top haggis maker’s legal spat with neighbour who had beef about building work
HE is the high-profile butcher who has built a multi-million-pound business empire on the back of the country’s best-selling haggis.
But building an extension at his home has proved more troublesome for Simon Howie – as it has fuelled a long-running beef with his next-door neighbour.
He now faces a court battle with Lynn Barnard, who claims that his renovations have caused a host of problems for her – from blocked drains to water-stained ceilings and damaged plants in her garden.
Alleging that she was driven from her house by the building work, she is now demanding thousands of pounds in damages.
She also claims that when she complained, she was subjected to a barrage of insults and even sprayed with weedkiller.
She is suing Mr Howie and his brother Norman for £15,000, with the case due to be heard next year.
However, it has already sparked a war of words in the Perthshire village of Dunning.
Lynn Barnard – also known as Susan Barnard – made headlines a decade ago for being the first teacher in Scotland to be struck off for incompetence. Meanwhile, Mr Howie is the world’s largest producer of haggis.
His award-winning range – sold all over the world – includes a vegan haggis and even haggis truffles. His other interests include property, farming, waste energy and bulk goods handling, and he sold a laminates business in a £30 million cash deal two years ago.
Last week, he told The Scottish Mail on Sunday the case against him was ‘nonsense’, adding: ‘We are having a terrible time.
‘It’s a completely spurious and made-up case. It’s a neighbour from hell situation. We will not capitulate and give her money.’ Meanwhile, a friend of Mrs Barnard has accused the businessman of behaving like a ‘haggis gangster’. The dispute is detailed in paperwork which has been submitted to Perth Sheriff Court. Dunning, known for its ancient church and a memorial at a site where a witch was supposedly burned in the 17th Century, is also the home of Mr Howie’s haggis business.
Mrs Barnard and Mr Howie each have property in a row of cottages near the heart of the village.
In a civil action, Mrs Barnard is claiming work done by Mr Howie’s contractors, between 2009 and 2012, ‘prevented her enjoying her property’. The sum covers claimed costs for roof repairs, internal decoration and drainage work.
Court papers also allege the contractors removed insulation, causing a Christmas Day flood in 2010.
The documents say: ‘The attic space of Dungavel, Alcove and Woodside cottages was mutual and open. There was a substantial escape of water in Dungavel on December 25, 2010.
‘After investigation it transpired the insulation in the Dungavel roof had been removed, causing a valve to freeze and the escape of water.’
Mrs Barnard has also claimed that her plants and bulbs were damaged and sprayed with weedkiller, and a Lawson’s Cypress tree had to be chopped down when its roots were severed.
She is also seeking £2,224 from St Andrews Metals Ltd, which she says is operated by Mr Howie’s brother, Norman Howie, in relation to the impact of work he carried out on two neighbouring plots he purchased. A third claim is for a further £2,500 against both defenders.
Her action states: ‘The pursuer suffered verbal abuse and threats by the defenders, particularly Mr Howie and his brother.
‘They intimated they would “get rid of her” or words to that effect. Norman Howie said “f*** off, you’re f ****** mad, you f ****** moaning bitch”, while spraying her with weedkiller. Such behaviour caused fear and alarm.
‘The pursuer has suffered considerable stress and inconvenience at the hands of defenders. It amounted to a common law nuisance.’
However, Mr Howie last week denied her allegations, saying Mrs Barnard had undertaken building work on her own property shortly before starting to complain.
He said: ‘It’s total and absolute rubbish. I’m not going to write her a cheque. I have never had a cross word with her. If we had caused the problems we would be dealing with it, quite happily.
‘It would be a lot cheaper to fix the problems probably than the £20,000 it’s cost us in legal fees.’
Mrs Barnard could not be contacted for comment, but a friend of the family said they were aware of the case – and said Mr Howie was behaving like ‘a haggis gangster’.
‘Considerable stress and inconvenience’