A MAN has slammed his neighbour’s colourful house as “dreadful” amid a row over its unusual design.
David Nichol, whose mum lives opposite artist Toby Garrett’s home in Sedbury, Gloucestershire, claims that the unusual artwork will bring down local house prices.
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Toby’s garden contains a number of creative art pieces and previously boasted a domed greenhouse based on London’s iconic ‘Gherkin’ building.
Artist Toby previously claimed that his neighbours love his colourful and eye-catching creations.
This includes a large purple mural of a robot based on Bender from Futurama.
But David, 49, said that these claims are not true and blasted the art as “dreadful”.
He told The Sun Online: “It’s not very well-liked.
“It’s a bit of a snowball situation… I think he’s trying to prove a point but it’s to the disadvantage of the neighbours.”
He recognised that Toby had taken down his unusual greenhouse which The Sun covered previously, after a council order.
But he doesn’t like the artist’s house and says the homeowner has now covered his property in his “basic, childish artwork”.
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David alleges that the presence of the unusual art will put people off buying in the area.
And he says it will force residents to cut the price of their homes if they want to sell up.
He also accused Toby of a lack of engagement with his neighbours and claimed that he had refused to meet with them to discuss the issues.
The disgruntled neighbour added: “People are worried about the price of their houses.
“I’m not against art but it looks dreadful.”
Previously, Toby claimed that his neighbours loved his arty items and are “cheered up” by them.
Toby said: “People on my street have sent me messages saying they are gutted because it cheers Sedbury up.
“I phoned the council and was told art is not allowed without planning permission and I have to take it down within two weeks.
“I make art to make people happy. I’m sorry it doesn’t make everyone smile.”
However, officials insisted that the structures “impact on the visual amenity” of the village.
A letter to Toby from Trevor Short, a Forest of Dean Council planning enforcement officer, read: “I have discussed with my supervisor and he agrees with my decision that we would not encourage an application as it highly unlikely to be supported and is a waste of your money applying.
“I have examined all the structures and have come to the conclusion that they all require planning permission.
“Due to the impact on the visual amenity of the area any application is unlikely to be successful.”
Mr Short added: “Don’t forget to remove the dome.”
When do you have to apply for planning permission?
Government advice states that you are likely to need planning permission if you build anything new, make a major alteration to a building (like an extension) or change the use of a building.
You can find out if you need planning permission beforehand by contacting your local planning authority (LPA) through your local council.
There are slightly different rules governing planning in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, so it is always a good idea to check before you begin building.
Planning applications are then considered by the LPA, who will vote on whether or not to approve them.
Decisions are usually taken within 8 weeks, but could take longer depending on the complexity of the project.
If you feel that you have been denied planning permission unfairly, you can appeal to the Planning Inspectorate, who will consider the case on behalf of the relevant Secretary of State.
A decision will then be taken, either by a planning inspector or directly by the Secretary of State, about whether or not to overrule the council.
Appeals can be made up to six months after you are notified of the decision, or up to 28 days after you are given an enforcement notice ordering you to take action.
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