Stone gargoyle of council leader with tongue out built on roof in planning row

25 September 2023 , 19:26

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A gargoyle of the town council leader (Image: Tom Wren SWNS)

A bitter builder has put a giant stone gargoyle of a council leader on his roof as a heated planning row turns ugly.

Michael Thomas, 71, was furious when his plan to convert an old pizza takeaway into a three-storey, seven-bedroom property for a house share was rejected.

He had already started work on it without permission, forcing town council leader Stewart Palmen to put an enforcement order in place. Mr Thomas has now taken his revenge by erecting the stone sculpture of Cllr Palmen on his roof.

But the 61-year-old said he is flattered by the effigy, which has him sticking his tongue out. He added: “It’s just been quite amusing. He just started constructing without any planning permission in 2020.

Stewart Palmen joked he was flattered by the effigy (Tom Wren SWNS)

“I reported him to enforcement and in the end, he applied and it was refused along with his appeals. He’s taken it quite personally and believes the council have dobbed him in. He seems to have vendetta against myself. But I quite like gargoyle and would love for it to stay.

Homeowner who built house on driveway forced to tear it down in planning row

“I don’t have an issue with it but there is a serious side to it. There’s a court date on the fact he hasn’t returned the building to what it was.” Mr Thomas found himself at the centre of legal action from Wiltshire Council after he continued building work on the Trowbridge property despite an enforcement notice.

A row has been sparked over planning permission for the building work (Tom Wren SWNS)

His proposed conversion was rejected for several reasons including the fact it “detracts from the character and appearance of the area”. An independent inspector upheld the council’s decision in May.

But Mr Thomas has taken it badly, attaching a banner to the property, which is in a conservation area. On it, he accused the council of profiteering and of hindering small businesses like his own. Mr Thomas is due in Swindon magistrates court on October 27 on a charge of failing to comply with the enforcement notice. He has vowed to continue building, even if he is jailed.

Josie Adnitt