Couple win furious neighbour war to keep ‘over the top’ display with 30 garden gnomes | UK | News
A couple with a collection of over 30 items garden The dwarves caused a fight with the neighbors who won the battle to protect them. Adina and Sorin Banatean, from Nelson, Lancashire, believed the colorful display of ornamental figurines, golden lion statues and lights would brighten up their streets.
But angry locals complained that the Banateans had dug a decorative well. bird feeder and several pergolas outside their homes without planning permission. Some neighbors complained to Pendle Council, claiming the additions were unpleasant to look at.
One complaint read: “The wishing well, with its oversized flashing lights, looks obstructive, ugly and out of place. The overall proposal is very unattractive and negatively affects the area.”
Another noted that the decorations were “top level” and the amount of light outside the property was “above the level of any normal home.”
A third complaint, which described the exhibits as a “mad hatter’s tea party”, said: “This would be a shame for the area if approved.”
Mr and Mrs Banatean fought back against the complaints, saying: Daily Mail: “This is our property and what we did was in our yard.”
The same publication reports that Pendle Council sent the couple a letter advising them of the complaints and that the additions require planning permission.
Council chiefs have approved the Banats’ application for retrospective planning permission, much to their delight.
Mr Banatean was delighted: “I was very happy when the council approved our application because we weren’t sure if they would accept it.”
“This is our property and what we did was in our yard. We love the garden and the gnomes. They make us happy. The kids love them. There were only two or three complaining neighbors.”
Planning officer John Halton recommended approving the application in a report sent to officials in October.
He said the installations were “suitable for the garden environment” and that the lighting would not disturb neighbors or wildlife.
Lancashire County Council, which acts as the local highways authority, also did not object to the development.
