Livid builder places large stone gargoyle sculpt of a council chief on his roof amid bitter row over his rejected plan to transform pizza takeaway into seven-bed home
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Livid builder places large stone gargoyle sculpt of a council chief on his roof amid bitter row over his rejected plan to transform pizza takeaway into seven-bed home
- Michael Thomas, 71, erected a gargoyle of council chief Stewart Palmen
- Cllr Palmen had objected to Mr Thomas’ plan to redevelop an previous pizza takeaway
- Cllr Palmen stated that he was ‘flattered’ and located it ‘amusing’
A livid builder has put an enormous stone gargoyle of a council chief on his roof as a bitter planning row in Trowbridge, Wiltshire, turned ugly.
Michael Thomas, 71, erected the weird statues after a plan to transform an previous pizza takeaway right into a three-storey seven-bedroom home in a number of occupation (HMO) was rejected.
Trowbridge City Council chief Stewart Palmen had objected to the venture and put an enforcement discover in place to halt the constructing venture.
Mr Thomas has since erected a stone gargoyle of Cllr Palmen on the roof of the constructing that he was redeveloping.
The effigy – sporting half-moon spectacles and sticking his tongue out – now adorns the facet of the disputed property within the Wiltshire city.
Michael Thomas, 71, erected the gargoyles after his efforts to redevelop a constructing in Trowbridge have been rejected by the native council
The gargoyle, that pokes out of the nook of the constructing that Mr Thomas had been engaged on, is designed to resemble Trowbridge Council chief Stewart Palmen
Cllr Palmen took mimicked the pose of the gargoyle, seen behind in, in Trowbridge
Following objections from Cllr Palmen and native residents, the cease discover was outmoded by an enforcement discover in September 2020.
He then utilized for planning permission which was refused by Wiltshire Council in June 2022.
The council refused the venture saying it ‘detracts from the character and look of the realm’.
In Could this yr, an inspector upheld the council’s choice after Mr Thomas launched one more enchantment.
In retaliation, Mr Thomas launched a protest towards the council by attaching a banner to the scaffolding across the property.
Mr Thomas has additionally posted two notices criticising the council, one in all which accused it of ‘hindering small companies / builders’
Mr Thomas has confronted repeated issues with making an attempt to redevelop the previous pizza takeaway
Cllr Palmen described himself as ‘flattered’ and stated that he discovered it ‘amusing’
The banner learn: ‘Wiltshire council invests time and power in inexperienced discipline developments and lengthy builders exterior and round Trowbridge at a revenue whereas actively hindering small constructing builders making an attempt to fill a necessity for lodging for many who don’t qualify for the dearer out of city lodging.’
The constructing itself is just not listed, however is positioned in a conservation space.
In June, Mr Thomas stated he was even prepared to go to jail over the dispute. He stated: ‘They do not observe the principles, they make them up as they go alongside.
‘If council officers aren’t following the principles, why ought to I?
‘I’m going to hold on constructing towards their order and permit them to take me to courtroom.
‘I’m not afraid of going to jail, I’ve been jailed twice earlier than and I am advised that nowadays they’ve bogs and televisions so I do not assume that will probably be a hardship.’
Mr Thomas has been ordered to attend Swindon Magistrates’ Court docket on October 27 to face a cost of failing to adjust to the enforcement discover.
In June, Mr Thomas stated he was prepared to go to jail over the dispute. He has been ordered to attend Swindon Magistrates’ Court docket in October
‘I’m not afraid of going to jail, I’ve been jailed twice earlier than and I am advised that nowadays they’ve bogs and televisions,’ Mr Thomas stated
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