Father's appeal to keep bowling alley is refused (From Watford Observer)

West Hyde father's appeal to keep bowling alley built on his drive is refused

5:30pm Saturday 6th October 2012 in News By Ben Endley, Senior reporter

A West Hyde father who built a bowling alley on the drive to help his gifted young son become a world class player has been ordered to tear it down after failing to secure retrospective planning permission.

Simon Taylor has been given three months to remove the bowling alley and poly-tunnel roof from the drive of his home on Old Uxbridge Road after Three Rivers District Council ruled against his appeal.

Mr Taylor initially applied for retrospective permission in June 2011 but planners responded that the tunnel constituted which measures 2.4m high by 2.4m wide inappropriate development in the green belt and permission was refused.

The bowling alley consists of a pinsetter machine inside a garage with a 7m tunnel stretching out towards the road.

One neighbour voiced concerns about the noise made by the pinsetter machine which was accepted by planning inspector Christine Newmarch following a visit to the property.

In documents submitted to the council, the appellant stated the alley had taken around 1,000 hours to build and would be used so his 11-year-old son who had demonstrated a talent for bowling would be able to practise on a daily basis

He also claimed he would suffer "loss of pride and reputation among his friends and the bowling community if the building had to be removed".

Mr Taylor also said he had hoped the council would simply ‘turn a blind eye’ to the development.
His application for his appeal costs to be paid by the council was also refused.