'Crazy' row over shrinking garage

Mark Williams took off the roof to reduce the garage

A Devon man has been ordered to demolish his garage - even though he can build an identical one in its place.

Mark Williams, from Tavistock, originally built a garage in his garden which was 4.8 metres tall - 0.8 metres taller than regulations allowed.

He has now lowered the structure to comply with the rules.

But West Devon Borough Council planners say it has to be demolished and rebuilt.

The structure has been lowered to four metres

Mr Williams said: "It's pretty crazy. I think what the council are doing are putting a personality on this garage.

"This is the 'big bad garage', this is the one that has to come down because, at one point in its life, it was 4.8 metres high."

The decision has been attacked by the Torridge and West Devon MP John Burnett.

"It's not justified, it's not in the public interest, it's bureaucracy gone mad," he said.

Stephen Gill, of West Devon Borough Council, said: "We're really arguing about how it should be remedied.

"Should it be demolished and rebuilt to a lesser height or just lower the height?

"The government inspector has said the way to remedy it is demolish and then rebuild.

"It may be a harsh decision from the government inspector but it's difficult for the local planning authority to just ignore."