Artist Clive Hemsley built a custom designed (green oak barn) studio especially so he could teach art to disabled people and give end of life patients help in creating artworks; a legacy for their loved ones. 

South Oxfordshire District Council (SODC) in a court hearing concluded last week that the building has been built 13 metres too far north (on a 1.25 acre plot in AONB).

An Olive tree on a base and an old tree trunk also have to be removed as they are classified as sculptures plus the signage on the gate and a postage box need to be taken down.

Hemsley wrote over 100 emails letters and photographs over a 3 year build period but did not get one response from SODC apart from enforcement notices.

Hemsley said” I have no doubt the reason SODC wanted this result was to teach me a lesson for putting LEDs on Henley bridge 4 years ago and an illegal living wall up on the side of my house (which was organised by Henley town Council!). The enforcement officer would not allow me to discuss this with my planning consultant to put in for retrospective planning.

The case has cost the rate payers tens of thousands of pounds - wasted all because of SODC bullying and lack of communications.  Hemsley added, “My last resort is to ask the public to sign a petition and show SODC how ridiculous this has become.  The hearing concluded that Hemsley has to have the £1m building demolished. I am going to fight it.”