By Ruth Tyler, Property Correspondent
Thatched roofs are to be banned by meddling EU bureaucrats – because they pose a fire risk.
Thousands of quaint Suffolk cottages owners will be forced to replace the pretty thatch with ugly tiles by 2018.
The straw-topped, picture-postcard cottages have been part of the idyllic Suffolk scenery for centuries.
But Brussels has ruled that not only is there a fire danger, but the pollution from such blazes threatens strict environmental control targets.
UKIP slammed the news as yet more “barmy” Euro behaviour, while the Tories said they would overturn the decision if re-elected to power.
Owners of the 309,000 Suffolk thatched cottages on the EU hit list will be able to claim from the EU Central Bank for the cost of the work, plus any compensation for the loss of their property value.
But there will be no such compensation for skilled thatchers, who will need to re-train as tilers.
Bulgarian EU spokesman Wastov Uremunee said: “We don’t want to see any more dangerous fires in the Suffolk countryside.
“Furthermore, the smoke from these blazes ruins the atmosphere and gives people living in the countryside asthma.”
Suffolk UKIP member of the European Parliament, Colonel Roger Tweed, fumed: “This is barmy, yet another ridiculous EU law.
“Suffolk is known throughout the country for its lovely thatched cottages – we will fight this every step of the way.”
One furious cottage owner, Pamela Bush from Tannington, said: “They will remove my thatch over my dead body. My husband loves it.”
No to eu interference
Dear Suffolk Gazette
I have lived in Orford for over a decade and have always kept my thatch nicely tidied so that it has been pleasing to the eye. I have occasionally fragranced it with lavender oil to enhance the pleasure of visitors.
A rather officious man called from the council last week wielding a clip board. He poked at my thatch with his stick and said that it was unkempt and worst of all claimed that it was ‘infested with vine weevils’.
I use the best organic fertilizers and told him where to go in no uncertain terms but I have now received a letter threatening to remove my thatch unless this so-called ‘infestation’ is cleared up.
My prize clematis is nicely protected by this thatch and will be left exposed if it is removed and this has understandably left me greatly upset.
Thank you for bringing this story to light. Hopefully we can stop these meddling bureaucrats before they have every piece of thatch in the county removed.
Yours sincerely,
Lavinia Frondescence
Dear Ms Frondescence
I can see how the threat of losing your thatch must be very worrying for you. Thank you for forwarding a photo of it, but unfortunately I was unable to look at it because the office IT systems blocked it as ‘inappropriate content’.
I can’t for the life of me work out why.
Regards,
The Editor
Who in their right mind would want to live under a 300 year old compost heap anyway?
Apart from politicians that is.