Hibaldstow man wins battle over 'Game of Thrones' dragon statue

Planes, a dragon and a phone box have prompted complaints about one man's distinctive front garden.

Critics said it looked like a theme park or a ram-raid in a gift shop, but officials have agreed to retrospective planning permission.

It covers four aircraft sculptures and a dragon inspired by Game of Thrones outside Lee Morris's home in Hibaldstow, Lincolnshire.

Some neighbours objected to the "visual intrusiveness" of Mr Morris's display.

He said his aircraft sculptures were a nod to the area's RAF heritage and he had been shocked to discover he needed planning permission for them.

However, the "really hurtful" part of the process was seeing "disrespectful comments" in response to his application on the council's website, he added.

One objector said: "Game of Thrones want their dragon back … this is Woods Meadow and not Old Valyria."

Comparisons were also drawn to a "ram-raid" in a museum gift shop. An objector stated: "It is like they have ram-raided Duxford Imperial War Museum gift shop."

However, Mr Morris said: "I put a lot of time into my property and keep it in good condition all the time, so I feel I'm a decent neighbour."

He pointed out that the village sign featured a picture of an aircraft on it.

"I just can't understand the response," he added.

Valerie Moore, a local resident, described the sculptures as "totally inappropriate".

"If North Lincolnshire planning committee allow ... this type of theme-park installation in a residential area, surely they'd be failing the residents," she said.

Mrs Moore argued that one of the aircraft sculptures posed "a serious potential danger to life" due to its position overhanging her front garden.

"It is unsightly, not in keeping and rocks in the wind," she added.

However, Mr Morris dismissed claims that the structures were unsafe.

"I'm in construction - civil engineering - and I put these in properly with reinforced concrete," he said. "They are safer than most houses around here."

At a meeting last week, councillors granted retrospective planning permission.

Councillor Max Bell was the only member to oppose the move, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

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