this one does not seem to be going away. From the Daily Mail yesterday...
Our Helicopter Hell ; Villagers Fight Neighbour Over Their Shattered Peace and the Big Blue Hangar at the Bottom of the Garden
Source: Daily Mail; London (UK)
Publication date: 2004-07-06
WHEN Bob and Sheila Lawes moved to the hamlet of Trewen 18 months ago, they found total tranquillity.
Their house overlooked the unspoilt Inney Valley, on the edge of Bodmin Moor in Cornwall, and the only sound came from birds and farm animals.
Now, however, the view from their sittingroom window often consists of a neighbour's large, black, jet-powered helicopter.
And when it takes off, with businessman Shaun Griffin at the controls, the noise is excruciating.
To make matters worse, he has installed a large blue hangar on his land to house his executive toy.
Outraged at the breach of their peace, the villagers are demanding action against 44-year-old Mr Griffin and his Hughes 369.
North Cornwall District Council has obtained an enforcement notice to ground the helicopter from July 15.
But the demon pilot warned yesterday that he would not surrender without a fight.
Mr Griffin moved into his Pounds 350,000 bungalow in three acres last Christmas, weeks before he sold off Eurotech, a double-glazing firm in nearby Liskeard.
He is understood to have separated from his wife and lives in his new home with his three-year-old son. He bought the helicopter in March and installed the hangar without seeking planning permission.
Mr and Mrs Lawes moved to Cornwall from Oxford in search of a quieter lifestyle after Mr Lawes suffered heart problems.
His 46-year-old wife, a business consultant, said: 'The helicopter is quite sinister. It is black with blacked-out windows. It's quite a sight in the back garden.
'And the noise is pretty terrible.
It's got a jet engine, so it's the most extreme sound you can imagine.
'People are concerned about safety. He is taking off and landing right outside our houses, which has got to be dangerous.' Mrs Lawes said Mr Griffin had told them that he planned to retire after selling his business for Left: Shaun Griffin. Above: His jet- powered helicopter as seen from the sitting room of Bob and Sheila Lawes, pictured right Pounds 800,000. Another homeowner said: 'You hear of neighbour disputes over music or noisy building work but parking a helicopter in this hamlet is just outrageous.
'Every morning I wake up and hope this is all a bad dream.' Herdsman Graham Frayne, 47, the parish council chairman, said: 'This chap has caused no end of trouble and doesn't seem to care two hoots. The noise is upsetting animals, particularly horses.' Villagers say the helicopter mercifully developed a fault which has stopped it flying for the past month.
But the entire valley was recently filled with black smoke as Mr Griffin attempted to carry out repairs.
Aviation experts said Mr Griffin appeared to be doing nothing wrong under air regulations which state that in a non- congested area, pilots are not permitted to fly within 500ft of a person, vessel, vehicle or structure but the rules do not apply for take- offs and landings.
A Civil Aviation Authority spokesman said: 'If they think the pilot is conforming with regulations but causing a disturbance then we would recommend starting a constructive dialogue.' Villagers doubt, however, that a friendly chat will help and are hoping the newcomer will be held to account under planning regulations. The Town and Country Planning Act 1990 allows permitted development building without planning permission in certain circumstances but anything built in a field requires the permission-of the local authority.
A defiant Mr Griffin, who also drives a BMW and a Mercedes, said: 'The helicopter is housed in a temporary hangar which does not need planning permission.
'My solicitor's view is that we are within our development rights and we are hoping to persuade the council to withdraw the notices. If that doesn't happen we are likely to appeal.' Eurotech's new managing director, Phillip Barbour, warned the people of Trewen his predecessor would fight to the bitter end.
'He's a hard-nosed businessman who won't let anything get in the way of what he wants to do,' he said. 'And one reason he sold his firm was to buy the helicopter.'