We’re homeless, forced to sleep in a TENT & £100k in debt as council don’t like our wooden shed – but we won’t give in
A COUPLE in their 80s have been made homeless and forced to sleep in a tent after the council evicted them from their shed.
Eric Goodman and partner Penelope Blake have spent a decade and £100,000 fighting to stay in a wooden lodge they moved into in Norfolk.
After downsizing and moving into a wooden lodge in the garden, they were evicted by the council for not having the correct planning permission.
This kickstarted a decade-long blazing row, which has been delayed this month as the couple were informed this month that the officials reviewing their case had a “perceived conflict of interest”.
It turns out the woman who dismissed the appeal in 2021, Sarah Dyer, and the man who the assigned inspector of the planning dispute are married.
Joff Goodman, son of Eric, is baffled as to why this didn’t come apparent months ago.
He asked: “Surely Mr Dyer should have done his due diligence before accepting the appointment.
“I talk with my wife about everything. Surely they discuss their work over dinner?
“The appeal determination has now been delayed, causing further financial burden and stress on my father and Penny, which could have been avoided.”
Eric Goodman and partner Penelope Blake were told the removal of the agent was due to “unforeseen circumstances.”
Joff has branded the entire debacle as “ridiculous” and has raised concerns the blunder will cause further financial damage to his father and Penelope.
The couple, both in their 80s, are now amid their ninth attempt to be allowed to stay in their wooden lodge.
Previously North Norfolk District Council (NNDC) evicted the elderly couple for not having the correct planning permission as it was not initially built for residents.
The little lodge was built as an annexe to the couples original home, Robin Farm, but they decided to downsize and moved full time into the shed.
They asked to change the use of the lodge known as “The Muster” and “Willow Barn” office-studio to a residential dwelling.
Little did they know this would embroil them into a decade-long downsizing row with the NNDC.
By splitting the land and selling the house, they gave away the correct planning permission to live on the land where the lodge is.
The couple were evicted by the council and had to crash with family and friends or splash out on costly accommodation.
At one point they even ended up being forced to live in a tent as they had no other property and were dependent on living in their lodge.
They attempted to get permission for a High Court battle and failed and have struggled to reason with the council who have continually denied their appeals.
The NNDC had rejected permission for the building to be used as a residential property claiming it’s too isolated.
Mr Goodman and Ms Blake had high hopes that the official assigned to their case could help them – until they were told that Ian Dyer had to step down this month.
Joff Goodman continued: “For me, it is absolutely ridiculous.
“This has been going on for years when there is a housing shortage and it goes against government guidance.”
He said the pair found it “near-impossible” to find a rental property to live in due to being in their 80s and thinks the conflict is “complete nonsense.”
Having spent £100,000 on legal fees and accommodation, the family are fuming that this “perceived conflict of interest” will only set them back even further.
A spokesman for the Planning Inspectorate said: “Due to our concerns that there could be a perceived conflict of interest, a new Inspector has been assigned, who is obliged to look at it afresh.
“We hope this will alleviate any concerns parties may have had and be absolutely clear on the impartiality of our inspectors when making decisions.”
The Sun has reached out to North Norfolk District Council for a comment.