Couple charged nearly £500 to grow vegetables in their own garden

A couple have slammed council bosses after being told they have to pay nearly £500 to grow vegetables in their own garden.

Lee and Kirstie Lawes were left surprised after finding out they required planning permission for a veg plot they created on their lawn during the pandemic.

The couple, from St James, Lincolnshire, spent around £3,000 transforming the patch of land, growing everything from leeks and potatoes, to peppers.

But South Kesteven District Council now wants to charge them £469 for planning permission after saying the land was classed as informal open space and the work constituted a "change of use".

It has given them until 22 February to submit an application or face enforcement action.

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Dad-of-four Lee, 53, who runs a fire and security business, said: "I first decided I wanted to erect the fence because people were essentially parking their cars in my back garden.

"We were having issues with dog mess and litter too so it was an obvious thing to do as anyone could pretty much walk into our garden.

"My wife and I had always wanted our own veg patch to enjoy once we are retired, so we constructed one thinking nothing more of it.

Lee said he consulted Land Registry records, which showed the land has been part of the property since 1969. The couple moved into the home in December 2020.

He added: "I sent them back Land Registry information that proved that wasn't the case so they sent a revised enforcement notice through which we received yesterday (Thursday).

"It points out that although the land is in our ownership, it states that we need to apply for planning permission for change of use to an open space in a private residential garden.

"So essentially does that mean anybody who builds a vegetable plot in their back garden has to apply for planning permission?"

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Grandfather-of-one Lee, who lives with wife Kirstie, 54, a doctors practice manager, said he accepted the council was following procedure but was frustrated by the “hypocrisy”.

He said: "The government is telling us to be more sustainable but when someone starts to 'grow their own', the council tells you to pay £469 for the privilege.

"It would have been easier to extend our house onto the land."

Lee added: "It is our garden and we will not be paying for the privilege of being able to grow vegetables."

A spokesman for South Kesteven District Council said: "The land at the rear of these properties is classed as informal open space and the owner has not applied for planning permission to change that.

"We have been advising them throughout on the lawful use of this land and continue to offer informal help while encouraging them to apply for planning permission, without which they might struggle to re-mortgage or sell the property."