Barnoldswick, England -- (SBWIRE) -- 06/18/2018 -- After an exhausting and heart breaking process Lancashire pensioners Patricia and George Owen have been given mere to days to take their porch down, leaving them saddened and incredibly upset with their local council – Pendle Borough Council.

The pensioners opted to have a porch added to the front of their home after a break in which occurred whilst the couple slept in bed last year, looking to add an extra security layer to their abode. At this time the couple were advised by a planning officer at Market Street, Nelson that the porch was fine to build and that it did not require planning permission – However just over a week later as the porch was nearing completion another planning officer came to their home and it became apparent that this was not necessarily the case.

Not long after the porch was built the council got in touch with Patricia and George informing that there porch was not in keeping with the rest of the house and advising that it needed to be rebuilt in more relevant stone. The couple were more than happy to change the stone used although they had already paid for the porch building once and started making plans for this to happen.

Once again however the council decided to change their minds, deciding that they couple couldn't have a porch at all as it wasn't suitable for the heritage location. Enraged and left utterly confused by the entire situation the couple took to Facebook to started a petition, with many of their neighbours sticking by them and agreeing that the council had been utterly out of order. With so much understanding from the local community the company decided that they would make an appeal, still holding hope that they would be able to keep their porch.

Finally, after attending a council meeting a total of three minutes was allowed to present their case. Unfortunately, the council stood firm and said that the porch must come down in the next couple of weeks.

The couple were clearly told they did not require planning permission and the council as refused to allow any form of compromises and at no stage has anyone from the council offered to come and speak to them personally about this decision, leaving the elderly couple out of pocket and once again living in fear in their own home.

A friend of Patricia and Georges who is a pillar of the local community was incredibly keen to comment saying, "We can't believe that such has fuss has been made. We also live in the areas and have seen many people extending their homes so we just see it is totally unfair. We see no reason why Pat and George should not be allowed to keep this porch, especially after initially being told by a councillor that it was ok to go ahead. It has been so sad seeing our friends so distressed and mistreated and really hope that the council revoke their decision."

PR Contact:
Company Name: Save Our Porch
Tel: 01282 899404
Website: https://www.facebook.com/saveourporch/
Contact person: Gareth Owen
Email: info@seolancashire.co.uk
Address: Save Our Porch 3 Taylor Street Barnoldswick Lancashire BB18 5HS