A pensioner who built a massive pirate ship in his back garden is embroiled in a planning row after one of his neighbours reported him to the council.
Steve Coombs’ huge boat features a captain’s hideout, moving ship’s wheel, netting, and even a cannon.
Despite being a neighbourhood favourite in the village of Horndean at Halloween, the installation has attracted local anger due to ‘the number of visitors and local impact’.
After being reported to planning officers at East Hampshire District Council (EHDC), Mr Coombs accused the complainant of being a ‘killjoy’.
He said: ‘I don’t know a single person who has said “ooh, I don’t like that” and I don’t know who has objected.
‘The initial letter was addressed to the homeowner, saying it’s under investigation by the Local Planning Authority. I just couldn’t believe it.
‘I think once in your life you have to build a pirate ship. We do a big Halloween and Christmas thing every year and it’s just continually grown.
‘Last year we did a little display but the kids wanted to get on it and steer it, so I thought I could do something they could interact with. I built it throughout the year and reckon I’ve spent a couple of grand on it.’
Despite being a neighbourhood favourite in the village of Horndean at Halloween , the installation has also attracted local anger due to ‘the number of visitors and the local impact’. Pictured: Steve and Lynnette Coombs with their self built pirate ship
Steve Coombs’ huge boat features a captain’s hideout, a moving ship’s wheel, netting, a cannon and other realistic features. Pictured: Steve and Lynnette Coombs with their self built pirate ship
Mr Coombs has been encouraged to submit a retrospective planning application in response.
Nearby resident and mother Karen Parish has written in support of the ‘wonderful couple’ who transform their garden annually into a ‘magical Halloween experience’ for local children.
Ms Parish said she was ‘deeply saddened’ about the complaint when the couple go ‘above and beyond’ to spread some joy in the community.
‘The shop is an incredible feat that showcases their creativity, generosity, and dedication to spreading happiness,’ she said.
‘It’s hard to understand why anyone would want to dampen something that brings so much joy, especially to children.
‘One parent told me that visiting the decorated garden during Lockdown was a lifeline for their family, offering a moment of light in a difficult time.
‘Their garden is more than just a Halloween display; it’s a symbol of what makes our neighbourhood special.’
A spokesperson for EHDC said that while they appreciate that the ship is a popular attraction, there had been complaints about the number of visitors and the local impact.
They added: ‘If someone contacts the council to raise concerns about a possible breach of planning rules, they rightly expect us to look into it properly.
‘In this case the law makes it is clear that a structure of this size and in this location, even an unusual one like this, requires planning permission.’
