Residents in one of the UK’s most remote beauty spots are trying to evict their neighbour because he ‘aggressive’ pet geese are ‘attacking walkers’.
The community of just eight people in Berney Arms, along the Norfolk Broads, are embroiled in a bitter row, which also includes ‘out-of-control’ horses and a pet fox cub.
The residents have lived at the site of a former pub, once known for being one of Britain’s most remote and peaceful, since 2015, but the former calm and tranquillity of the site has been shattered over the extraordinary row.
Residents claim that their neighbour Sharon Davis is breaching her tenancy agreement by allowing her horses to roam freely, and that her pet geese are ‘terrorising’ them.
They say the 53-year-old’s pets are attacking walkers and tourists as they travel along the Wherryman’s Way footpath, which lies between Reedham and Great Yarmouth.
Residents claim Ms Davis’s (pictured in right of image) pets are attacking walkers and tourists as they travel along the Wherryman’s Way footpath, which lies between Reedham and Great Yarmouth
Raymond Hollocks, who owns the now-closed pub and 20 acres of surrounding land, claims to have received ‘reports of these geese attacking people’, and has seen ‘CCTV footage showing the horses roaming freely’ adding that they are running past people ‘at speed’
The community of just eight people in Berney Arms, along the Norfolk Broads, are embroiled in the bitter row
Concerns have also been raised around a pet fox cub that Ms Davis is rearing in the remote community, which has no public road access, and is home to a collection of caravans, outbuildings and boats.
Raymond Hollocks, who owns the now-closed pub and 20 acres of surrounding land, claims to have received ‘reports of these geese attacking people’, and has seen ‘CCTV footage showing the horses roaming freely’ adding that they are running past people ‘at speed’.
‘My tenants have told me the geese are aggressive’, Mr Hollocks, 70, said. ‘And I have concerns about a wild fox living here.’
Ms Davis has denied the allegations, and insists that her animals are kept safe and secure. She claims she is the victim of a ‘revenge eviction’ after she refused to renovate her property, which she moved into in August 2021.
‘I moved here because I have horses and there is lots of space here’, she said. ‘After I had a brain haemorrhage I needed somewhere quiet and peaceful and a project to keep me busy.
‘But the situation here for all the tenants is so severe. [Mr Hollocks] is leaving us to rot. This eviction is a revenge eviction.’
Ms Davis (pictured) has denied the allegations, and insists that her animals are kept safe and secure
Nettie Southgate, 57, who lives in a static home next to Ms Davis’s chalet, says she is supporting Mr Hollocks’s bid to get Sharon evicted
She claims she and Mr Hollocks fell out at their first meeting. She later complained to Broadland District Council about her property and officials raised concerns about the safety of the building, citing the state of the electrics.
They are now attempting to rehome her.
Nettie Southgate, 57, who lives in a static home next to Ms Davis’s chalet, says she is supporting Mr Hollocks’s bid to get Sharon evicted.
‘It is so lovely so tranquil so quiet’, she said. ‘Ever since the neighbour moved in she has had no regard or respect for us. I love animals but her horses are storming around our side, out of control.
‘There have been numerous occasions where I have nearly been trampled on. They charge along the public footpath constantly and it is terrifying and causing me a living hell.
‘I love animals but these are out of control. They roam all over the place and go wherever they please.
‘Recently she has been letting walkers hold her pet fox, a wild fox which she found, which surely should be living freely.’
Jeff Pennington, who lives on a boat at the site, claims he was ‘nearly flattened’ by Ms Davis’s ‘out-of-control horse’
The Broads Authority recently launched a legal bid to evict the entire community, claiming the structures do not have planning permission
Ms Davis previously complained to Broadland District Council about her property and officials raised concerns about the safety of the building, citing the state of the electrics
Jeff Pennington, who lives on a boat at the site, added: ‘I was nearly flattened by her out-of-control horse.
‘She has burnt all her bridges with us all living here.
‘The geese stroll around as though they own the place. I think it’s quite fitting for them to be here though they have been aggressive to walkers in the past.
‘I think she believes rescuing the fox cub was an act of goodwill, though I think it is a wild animal which should be roaming the wonderful meadows and plains.’
The Broads Authority recently launched a legal bid to evict the entire community, claiming the structures do not have planning permission.
Mr Hollocks plans to defend the action and keep the group on the land.
A spokesman for Broadland Council said: ‘The council has served an Emergency Prohibition Order regarding the safety of the [Mrs Davis’ chalet].
‘The reason for this is poor electrics, which pose an immediate risk.
‘We are working with the tenant to assist with rehousing, in the meantime we have given advice on safety measures and actions we will need to be completed to lift the Order.’
