An eyesore cottage at the centre of a long-running planning row has caused house prices in the road to drop by almost a third, frustrated neighbours have claimed.

The property, known to locals in Shipdham, Norfolk, as ‘Scaffold House’, has been surrounded by building materials and detritus over the last five years.

Margaret Smith, owner of Meadows View in Letton Road, predicted the works to replace all the ceilings and the roof could run until 2030.

But neighbours have repeatedly complained to Breckland Council that the home is a blight on their landscape – and it even has a shipping container placed on the lawn. 

And according to RightMove, historical sold prices in Letton Road over the last year are 29 per cent down on the previous year – with neighbours claiming the cottage could have contributed to this.

The once pretty red-brick cottage has been surrounded by poles since Mrs Smith bought the home for £185,000 and began renovations in 2020.

One neighbour who wanted to remain anonymous, said: ‘I look out of my dining room and all I see is rubbish.

‘We’re thinking of selling but probably are not going to be able to. We would probably be leaving if it wasn’t for the house.

An eyesore cottage at the centre of a long-running planning row has caused house prices in the road to drop by almost a third, frustrated neighbours have claimed

The once pretty red-brick cottage is now dubbed ‘Scaffold House’ since Mrs Smith bought the home for £185,000 and began renovations in 2020. Pictured: The home before work started

According to RightMove, historical sold prices in Letton Road over the last year are 29 per cent down on the previous year – with neighbours claiming the cottage has contributed to this

‘It has directly impacted the value of my house and I’m not going to be able to sell.’

Neighbours have acknowledged Ms Smith works on the property with her partner in their spare time.

But the homeowner has previously said the project – which has also left debris piled high in the garden – is unlikely to be completed before the end of the decade.

Breckland Council received an enforcement complaint in 2021, but the investigation into the property was dropped the following year.

This was on the basis that materials were being temporarily stored at the property for the purposes of renovating it.

However, the complaint was reopened in 2023 due to an increase in the amount of materials being stored and a reconsidered view that these items ‘go beyond’ what would be required for building works.

The authority decided to take full enforcement action in January this year and ordered Ms Smith to remove debris and materials from the property by November.

But Ms Smith has lodged an appeal with the Planning Inspectorate to overturn the enforcement order.

Margaret Smith, owner of Meadows View in Letton Road, predicted the works to replace all the ceilings and the roof could run until 2030

Locals have also claimed that people often stop to gawp at the ‘Scaffold House’ from the pavement, and that rats have been seen among the materials strewn in the garden.

Another neighbour, who moved to the street around two years ago, claimed that the ‘Scaffold House’ had helped her secure a five per cent discount on her purchase.

She said: ‘I definitely got a lower house price.

‘Before buying it, my solicitor went on Google Maps and saw the property and told me it will have a detrimental impact if I try to sell.

‘Life’s too short. I try to let it go over my head and think one day it will be done.

‘But every morning when I wake up that’s what I see and it’s not particularly pleasant.’

Renovation plans for ‘Scaffold House’ include replacing ceilings, repairing the roof and fitting a new kitchen and bathroom.

Paul Belo, a parish councillor who lives nearby, said: ‘You can’t live in a place and upset so many people.

Renovation plans for ‘Scaffold House’ include replacing ceilings, repairing the roof and fitting a new kitchen and bathroom

‘I’m fed up. It’s an eyesore, they need to go on a good neighbour course.’

Ms Smith, an NHS mental health nurse, has declined to comment.

She lodged the appeal with the Planning Inspectorate – which adjudicates in such cases – because she said her work and financial commitments had slowed her progress on the flat.

It is understood she has been trying hard to speed up the renovation work.

One neighbour added: ‘If they want to spend another 10 years doing it, that’s fine. I’d just be sick of the sight of it if it was mine.

‘I’m frustrated along with them more than anything because I know they want this to finish. I know they don’t want this hassle at the end of the day.’

A council spokesman said it was ‘awaiting formal notification from the Planning Inspectorate regarding the determination of the appeal’.