Couple 'defying' demolition order

The bungalow must be knocked down

A couple in Somerset are refusing to demolish their bungalow near Taunton, despite a court ordering them to do so.

Richard and Linda Gosbee have been ordered to leave their house by midnight on Tuesday, after an extensive legal dispute with their local council.

In May, the High Court ruled they had to move out so the bungalow could be knocked down, before the couple made an application to challenge the order.

Sedgemoor District Council said the matter is in the hands of the courts.

The Gosbees won planning consent for a new home on their land in Shearston, near Taunton, in 1992, as long as they demolished the bungalow.

In the event that they don't comply they will be in contempt of court Council spokeswoman

However, instead of demolishing the bungalow they sold the unoccupied plot and stayed in their home.

Mrs Gosbee told BBC News if they are forced to leave after 37 years of living there, "we would be left with nothing".

"We had permission for two dwellings on the land, as I told the judges," she said.

"I have the liberty to seek to vary or dissolve the injunction, and I want to vary it certainly. I have no idea what happens next."

A council spokeswoman said it had been a court decision to order the demolition.

"In the event that they don't comply they will be in contempt of court and the court will decide what punishment is appropriate," she said.

They appealed against an earlier council ruling the bungalow should be demolished. This prompted the council to get the court enforcement order, which was granted.