Martin Keyes and partner Catherine Curran have vowed to fight the decision all the way to the courts – and say ‘under no circumstances’ will the shed be coming down, despite the council’s orders
A couple who have been ordered to tear down their £20,000 garden shed have refused the council’s request, saying “I can promise you it is not coming down”.
Martin Keyes and his partner Catherine Curran from Greenock, Scotland, were horrified to learn that council planners had refused retrospective planning permission for the two-metre high outbuilding in their back garden. The couple have now vowed to fight the decision all the way to the courts, and say “under no circumstances” will the shed be coming down.
Planners used delegated powers to deny permission, claiming the shed is having a detrimental impact on a neighbouring property. Gateside Grove resident Martin, 52, 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”, Martin added. The outbuilding currently serves as a spot for social gatherings with friends, while Catherine, 50, also likes to spend time there on her own.
Catherine, 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 had already replaced a window on the outbuilding so that they were no longer able to see into neighbouring gardens, but they were left in shock after learning of the council’s decision last month. 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 in to 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.”
Stuart Jamieson, environment and regeneration director at Inverclyde Council, said the shed did not meet the “safe and pleasant” criteria, and that the size and proximity to next door gardens means the outbuilding has a detrimental impact on neighbouring properties. A complaint about the planning application prior to February 2022 was also recorded, the council have said.
Jamieson added in his report that the applicant was given alternative options during a site inspection, including the removal of the shed altogether or relocation. The applicants decided to submit an application for the outbuilding at it’s current location.
In his report, the director said: “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.”
