CHELMSFORD: Shed couple's Euro appeal

MARGARETTING'S notorious war of the shed is set to be sorted out in Europe.

Peter and Jean Bridle – who lived in secret for four years under the noses of council officials in an illegal home disguised by hay bales – have reached the end of an eight-year legal battle to avoid being evicted by Chelmsford Council.

Last May, High Court judge Lord Carlile of Berriew QC upheld an enforcement notice that ordered the Bridles to leave their home.

He said in his ruling: "They created for themselves and visiting family a comfortable bungalow within, with all mod cons, but without the benefit of planning consent."

And that decision won the backing of one of the country's most senior judges in the Court of Appeal last week.

The case has cost council taxpayers tens of thousands of pounds in legal costs while the couple have only their pension and can pay no significant costs.

Now Mr Bridle, 68, has sought permission to take his case to the European Court.

Read the full report in this week's Chronicle.