On yer bike! Mayor wades in over ‘David v Goliath’ debate
SIR PETER ASKS FOR ROW TO BE DECIDED BY CITY COUNCILLORS RATHER THAN PLANNING OFFICERS
A FAMILY of cycling enthusiasts has been ordered to dismantle a special eco-bike storage shed they built in their front garden during lockdown.
Kavi and Mita Pujara say they are in a “David vs Goliath” battle with Leicester City Council over the structure at the front of their terraced Stoneygate Road home to keep their cycles safe.
Council officials wrote to them in February telling them they should not have built the bespoke timber shed - which has a sedum grass roof - without planning permission.
They said because the family lives in a conservation area where planning restrictions are tighter, permission would likely not have been granted in any case.
They have also been warned they could face enforcement action if they leave the shed standing.
The Pujaras are now battling to save the shed and more than 300 people, from all over the city and country, have written to the city council supporting their retrospective application to be allowed to keep it.
Kavi said: “We put the shed up in September when, because of lockdown, cycling was about the only thing we could get out and do.
“We now know we should have applied for permission at the time and we are doing that now - but we didn’t just throw it up. It wasn’t cheap, we did our research.
“We found a sustainable, ecofriendly shed which we think looks really good.
“The council is giving out mixed messages - on the one hand saying it wants to encourage environmentally friendly transport while then threatening people over bike storage.”
The Pujaras say the storage shed which they intend to camouflage with ivy - is the only way they and their children Milan, 12, and Anamika, 10 can realistically get their bikes from their home to the street.
Mita said: “If we want to bring all four bikes out of the back of the house we have sets of steps and gates and locks.
“It takes 15 minutes to get them out and ready that way and the kids can’t do it without help. From the shed it takes seconds and the children can be away pedalling.”
Kavi accused the council of having no “joined up thinking” between departments.
“There’s a real disconnect between departments,” he claimed.
“You can’t say ‘We want people to cycle’ but then say ‘You can’t safely store your bikes outside your home.’”
“The shed is not an eyesore - it looks better than car parking spaces some people have created in front of the homes on the street and they are permanent. Our little wooden shed is temporary.
“I could take it down in no time but we are trying to make a point.”
City councillor Lindsay Broadwell , who is supporting the family’s cause said: “Today in Leicester putting a bike shed in your garden is apparently a planning breach, according to the council.
“We want to encourage cycling but want to make it hard for people to store their bikes safely? The council’s line is ‘it’s not in keeping with the Victorian character of the area’— the Victorians invented and popularised cycling. And sheds, for that matter.”
A city council spokesperson said: “The householders have submitted a retrospective planning application regarding the bike shed, which will be considered in the usual way.
“No recommendation has been made on the application.”
The family has also written to Leicester mayor Sir Peter Soulsby and his deputy mayor Adam Clarke asking them to intervene.
■ Who’s side are you on? Share your views with others by writing to Mailbox at this email address: yet