Couple must demolish their home

Linda Gosbee and her husband must now move home

A Somerset couple have been ordered to move out of their bungalow and knock it down because it breaks planning laws.

Richard and Linda Gosbee won planning consent for a new home on their land in Shearston, near Taunton, in 1992

But they were required to knock down their old property. Instead they sold the land and stayed in the bungalow.

On Friday, Judge Havelock-Allen at Bristol High Court ruled the home should be demolished. The couple must now move by 30 November.

If they fail to do so they could be found to be in contempt of court.

Enforcement

The ruling brings to an end a complex, long-running dispute between the Gosbees and Sedgemoor District Council.

According to the council, the couple attempted to get planning permission to build a new home on their land the 1980s.

A change in planning law in 1992 meant they were able to get planning consent, with the provision they knocked down their bungalow.

But the couple sold the land and a property was built by the new owners. The Gosbees remained in their home.

They appealed against an earlier ruling the bungalow should be demolished and Sedgemoor District Council went to the High Court to get the enforcement order.

A council spokesman said: "Sedgemoor District Council takes no pleasure in the fact that Mr and Mrs Gosbee are losing their home.

"Nonetheless, the authority is satisfied with the outcome of the judgement and has endeavoured to act as fairly as possible."

The council was also awarded £5,500 costs.