Man wins battle to keep 'Game of Thrones' statues in front garden despite neighbours' fury

A man has emerged victorious in a dispute with neighbours over his 'Game of Thrones' inspired garden statues, as he's been given the green light to retain the distinctive sculptures outside his home despite complaints likening it to a "gift shop".

Lee Morris, 52, from Woods Meadow in Hibaldstow, North Lincolnshire, has adorned his front garden with four military aeroplane statues and a dragon statue. Amidst the backlash during the retrospective planning application process, one neighbour's objection stood out: "Game of Thrones want their dragon back."

Another critic compared the display to a burglary at Duxford Imperial War Museum's gift shop. Speaking to Grimsby Live, Lee expressed his disappointment at his garden being branded a "theme park" and explained that the plane statues pay homage to the village's military heritage, with RAF Hibaldstow established in 1941.

"It was quite offensive the way they described my garden. It should have been a joyful experience decorating my garden but it has been quite stressful because of this," Lee remarked, reports Grimsby Live.

He added: "I take pride in my house and garden so to see how some people chose to describe it was upsetting. We are an RAF village, there's a picture of a plane on the sign as you come into the village and we have skydivers nearly every day."

Lee has garnered support from fellow history buffs, who've shown keen interest in his collection. He shared: "I've had the other side too, older men come and ask if they can come and have a look in my garden because I've got an old Lancaster and other stuff."

During the planning meeting, Valerie Moore, who lives nearby, called for the statues to be taken down immediately, pointing out that one of the aircraft models extends over the boundary hedge.

Addressing the council, she insisted: "Since the last meeting, nothing has changed. This development is still totally inappropriate for the neighbourhood."

She warned the committee: "If North Lincolnshire planning committee allow the precedent of this type of theme park installation in a residential area, surely they'd be failing the residents."

However, Lee's display was spared immediate dismantling by North Lincolnshire Council's planning committee. The councillors, having previously visited the site, held differing opinions on the visual impact of the sculptures.

Ridge Ward councillor Trevor Foster commented: "It's certainly got a wow factor."

Meanwhile, Bottesford councillor John Davison mused: "I suppose to a certain degree, beauty is in the eye of the beholder."

Ashby Lakeside councillor Max Bell expressed his astonishment at the sheer size of the three-metre high statues and was the sole member to vote against the retrospective planning application approval.

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