Green fingered couple charged £470 by council for growing vegetables in their garden

James Linsell-Clark/ SWNS

A couple have criticised council bosses after receiving a hefty bill for not seeking planning permission to grow vegetables in their own garden.

Lee and Kirstie Lawes created a veg plot during the pandemic by transforming part of their lawn into raised beds to grow their own produce.

But the pair were dismayed when town hall chiefs decided the work constituted a “change of use” to their property in Deeping St James, Lincolnshire.

South Kesteven District Council now wants to charge the couple £469 for planning permission.

Mr Lawes said he consulted Land Registry records, which show the land has been part of the property they purchased since 1969.

But according to the council, part of the garden is classed an open space and by turning it into a place where vegetables are grown they have officially changed its use.

Mr Lawes said: “We moved into the house in December 2020, and on Christmas Day found a car parked on our garden.

“This happened a couple of times, and I also became fed up with having to pick up dog poo from the grass before I mowed it.

“So, in January last year we decided to put in a new fence and use that part of the garden for raised vegetable beds.

“It was great - we ended up with so much produce we were able to give some to neighbours and left some out so that people could help themselves.

“But a year on, we had a letter from the council saying we needed to pay £469 for a ‘change of use’ of the land.”

The couple decided to transform part of their lawn into raised beds so they would have more room to €˜grow their own vegetables (James Linsell-Clark/ SWNS)

Google Maps image showing Lee and Kirstie Lawes's home. The green line shows the position of their original fence - the red area is their land which they fenced off (Google Maps / SWNS)

He added: “I accept they are following procedure but it’s the hypocrisy of it that I find frustrating.

“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 and Kirstie Lawes with granddaughter Ella (Stamford Mercury / SWNS)

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.”

SWNS