Woman Challenges Council Over Window Bars After Drunk Man Falls Inside

Tammie McNeill installed protective window bars after repeated damage by drunken individuals. East Suffolk Council ordered their removal due to lack of permission, but McNeill vows to fight, citing safety and well-being concerns.

Protective Bars Installed After Window Damage

Tammie McNeill, a resident of Woodbridge, Suffolk, installed protective metal bars on her windows 18 months ago following multiple incidents where her windows were damaged by intoxicated individuals. The handmade guards were an "expensive" measure, installed after she spent £2,000 repairing her shattered windows.

Supplied A property's exterior brick wall with three windows on it. The three windows have thin white metal bars on them. — Tammie McNeill installed three metal window guards on her three front windows after two of them were smashed

Incidents Leading to Installation

McNeill recounted that on one occasion, an "extremely drunk man" fell through one of her front windows and ended up in her living room. On another occasion, she witnessed a pane being broken while she was watching television.

Supplied A large white, wooden window frame with its glass smashed out. The image is taken from inside the home on which the window is attached, showing the outside, which is dark. — According to McNeill, a drunken man once ended up in her living room after falling through her front window

Council Orders Removal of Bars

East Suffolk Council has instructed McNeill to remove the bars from her flat located at Mariners Court on New Street. The council stated that the bars were installed without obtaining the necessary planning permission or listed building consent.

Impact on Resident's Well-being

McNeill expressed that removing the bars would "seriously affect" her quality of life and leave her feeling "on edge every single evening." She emphasized the importance of the window guards for her peace of mind.

"The window guards were the only thing that gave me peace of mind, but now I'm being forced to remove them,"

"My health is going to decline because of this, so whoever complained, I hope you're very pleased with yourself – shame on you."

Preservation of Historical Property

Living with her two white huskies, McNeill noted that only one of the original, "vulnerable" windows of her historical property remains intact. She is keen to preserve this window while protecting her home.

Effectiveness of the Window Guards

She stated that the grills have served as a deterrent, preventing not only damage to her windows but also stopping drinkers from sitting on the window sills and placing their glasses there.

"I don't want to come across as a nimby, but I was up and down at my windows every time I heard a drunken group,"

"But the moment they were fitted, I just relaxed and my dogs all relaxed, too, because they were picking up on my severe anxiety."

Ben Parker/BBC Tammie McNeill sitting on the grass. She is wearing a red jacket and light-coloured leggings. She is wearing glasses and has blonde hair. She has three large fluffy white dogs around her. Behind her is a ramp used for dog training. — McNeill said ongoing issues with "rowdy groups" outside her home had left her and her husky dogs terrified

Council Enforcement Actions

McNeill was first ordered to remove the grills, which the council described as "unlawful," in October. After failing to comply, she received another order this week.

According to a letter seen by the BBC, enforcement officers from East Suffolk Council advised McNeill that retrospective planning permission was unlikely to be granted. The letter gave her 28 days to remove the bars or face "formal action."

Decision to Challenge the Council

McNeill stated her refusal to remove the bars, citing their necessity for her safety and well-being. She has informed the council of her intention to contest the order in court.