29 July 2023 , 19:24
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A council has told a man he has to repaint his front garden shed despite none of his neighbours complaining about it.
Vlad Dascalescu was told he could keep the "unacceptable" outbuilding, but on one condition - that he paint it a different colour.
A report from Stafford Borough Council about the Byron Close property said: "The outbuilding is a highly prominent form of development, given that it is sited in the front garden area of the application property, proximate to the intersection of Byron Close and Douglas Road West.
"The outbuilding is an unduly prominent and discordant feature that has a negative impact on the character of the street scene and local area.
"The impact the outbuilding has on the character of the street scene is further compounded through the use of unsightly orange timber interlocking panels and red/pink roof tiles which do not correspond with materials used in the construction of surrounding dwellings.
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"The white timber casements installed into the front elevation of the outbuilding also visually jar with the orange timber walls."
Mr Dascalescu stuck by his decision to paint the shed in person at the planning committee, StokeOnTrent Live reports.
He explained: "I erected this shed prompted by post-Covid working conditions that have affected many UK citizens. My intention was to provide extra storage and the possibility of homeworking for me and my wife as other space was not available in the house or rear garden.
"I would ask you to consider the mental health and wellbeing benefits to my family.
"One of the two objections raised by the council was the over-intensification of the front garden. I have a large front garden which contains no other amenities other than the shed.
"When I started to build the shed I followed all the requirements in terms of height and garden space. The shed is constructed of sustainable oak-coloured wood and is in keeping in terms of materials with other properties in Byron Close and the surrounding area.
"I dispute that the orange colour is unacceptable - it's a natural wood colour and there is one shed exactly the same colour in the next street. Regarding the door and windows being white I think it's ridiculous - many houses have one colour and the doors and windows are white.
"All of my neighbours like the shed and consider it to be a welcome addition to the character and appearance of the neighbourhood. None of them object to the colour or position of the shed, but I will change the colour or put high hedges around it to camouflage the shed."
It has since been revealed that despite neighbours raising no concerns, two "passers-by" had complained about it.
The application was called in by Jack Kemp when he was still a councillor, who said: "The sad thing about this is that no one in Byron Close has complained - it was two people who live further along and noticed it on passing by and spoke to me. As the local councillor, if somebody says they want to object to it, I have to call it in.
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"The only person that replied to the letter sent out was the person who lives next door, who supported the application. In this area there are a number of caravans that are sitting in front of properties and haven't moved for years - yet he goes out and buys a nice summer room and two people decide to object."
Mr Dascalescu's neighbours were happy about the decision which means he can keep the shed.
Andrea Lauder, 58, said: "When I first saw it being built I did think 'why is he doing it so far forward?' But since then I have recently written a letter to the council saying I don't have an issue with it. Someone on Douglas Road complained. I enjoyed watching it go up. I think it would look nice with something in front or with the door at the back."
While 26-year-old Emily Hudson added: "It's fun and looks nice on the cul-de-sac. He's said someone was moaning about it on Douglas Road. There's no problem with it or the colour of it."