Couple forced to knock down £100,000 extension after huge blunder
The extension to the property has caused controversy
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A couple were forced to knock down their £100,000 extension after an error over boundaries.
Haulage boss Wayne Noke and his wife Natalie mistakenly built the extension on land that technically did not belong to them.
The pair were granted planning permission for the construction at their sprawling home in the Hampshire New Forest last summer.
However, Forestry England told them of their blunder and threatened them with legal action if they did not down tools.
The couple applied to New Forest council for the property
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Natalie, 53, said: "It's a house we've known for many, many years and we were fortunate enough to be able to buy it and have my parents in the cottage."
She said they were told the land they were building on did not belong to them but was "Crown land". This is New Forest land that has been managed by Forestry England since 1923.
Work has now been halted at their property in the village of Bartley, amid fears they will have to tear down the oak frame and slatted roof structure.
Now, she has said they are the "innocent party" in the ordeal, having "fallen foul" of procedure.
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The couple bought the home and grounds along with her parents, Michael and Catherine Drummond, in what was a "dream" scenario that would see them live close together but ensure they stayed independent.
However, Michael , 80, because suffers from Parkinson's they decided to apply for planning permission for an extension of the cottage to enable him to live on the ground floor. However, the couple were told by FE officials that the cottage has a strip around it on three sides that does not belong them.
The couple are hoping common sense will prevail and an agreement can be reached via a land swap, purchasing the land, or by changing the terms of the licence to allow them to build on it.
However, the Verderers, the ancient body responsible for the upkeep of the forest) said: "It was agreed that it is not for the Court to decide the way forward to resolve this dispute. A land swap will be considered should Forestry England bring forward a proposal that is supported by all landowners concerned.
"However, it will have to be on a value basis not area for area. The Court has generally only agreed land swaps in exceptional circumstance and where such a swap is in the public, rather than merely a private interest."
In light of the comments, the couple are now awaiting a response from Forestry England.
Natalie said she remained optimistic a compromise could be reached, adding: "That's what I'm hoping." She has written to local MP for the New Forest East, the Rt Hon Dr Julian Lewis. Dr Lewis, who is 'supportive' of their mix-up.
A spokesperson for Forestry England said: "We have been in discussion on this matter with Mr Noke directly and via legal representation since the very early stages of the building work.
"The issues focus on building carried out on Forestry England land designated and protected as part of the New Forest. Whilst these discussions are ongoing we can't provide further comment."