A MAN from Farnborough believes he may have the upper hand in a row with a council over a listed building that has been left in a “poor state”.
Kevin Smyth, of Sandy Lane, has obeyed Rushmoor Borough Council’s request that he carries out repair work on a historic former cottage behind his home.
However, the 50-year-old feels he may ultimately win the ongoing dispute after recruiting former Rushmoor councillor Charlie Fraser-Fleming to help argue his case that it should actually be demolished.
Conflict has been waging for a number of months over Job’s Farm Cottage, the Grade II-listed building Mr Smyth has owned since 2008.
He bought it with the aim of fixing it up but the cottage was inspected by Rushmoor’s chief building control surveyor (CBCS) last September, who said the building needed “urgent” repair.
The council’s development committee approved an Urgent Works Notice (UWN) in January, after six months had passed in which the owner did not act to protect and repair the 18th century cottage, despite encouragement to do so from the local authority.
The dispute hangs on who takes responsibility for the cottage. A Rushmoor report stated it rested with the owner.
However, Mr Smyth, a former builder, claimed the council’s decision some years ago to approve construction of a nearby housing development in Goddards Close has caused damage to the listed building.
Despite this, Mr Smyth has begun repairing the roof, as ordered by the council.
Mr Fraser-Fleming, who is also a trustee for the Hampshire Building Preservation Trust, has looked at the cottage and Mr Smyth said the former councillor agreed with him that the building must be demolished.
“Mr Fraser-Fleming was horrified when he saw the cottage,” said Mr Smyth. “He was shocked at the condition it was in.
“I hope he will help me in this dispute, I am sure he will be a huge help. I am so happy I have got this guy, because I felt like I was fighting a losing battle.”
Mr Fraser-Fleming said: “I am trying to see what the options are for this cottage.
“I would love to see the cottage retained, as part of Farnborough history, but its condition, I believe, makes that almost impossible without a massive financial investment.
“As an alternative it would be great if the cottage could be relocated in Farnborough so that people could visit and understand what living in such a building might have been like. But again that would be expensive.
“That leaves a final option of delisting and demolition, which at the moment is not allowable. I am trying to see if another solution can be found.”
Keith Holland, head of planning for the council, previously described how legal action could be taken against Mr Smyth if he was not co-operative with the UWN – but only as a “last resort”.
In a presentation to Rushmoor’s development committee, development control manager for the council, John Thorne, said: “Poor weather over the last couple of weekends prevented the roof being constructed, but the owner has stated his intention of completing this.
“Meanwhile, we have sought quotes for external contractors to carry out the work, in the event that the owner fails to do so and we have to serve the UWN.”