A couple fear they may have to move out of their 'forever home' if a dispute over an environmentally-friendly boiler is not settled by a planning chief.

Eastern Daily Press: The biomass boiler flue at the centre of the planning dispute near Aylsham. PHOTO: ANTONY KELLYThe biomass boiler flue at the centre of the planning dispute near Aylsham. PHOTO: ANTONY KELLY (Image: Archant Norfolk 2014)

Mother-of-four Tracy-Ann Moore, 40, and her husband Joe, 42, are concerned about the health impacts of smoke from a straw/wood boiler fitted in a farm outbuilding next to their farmhouse on Burgh Road, Aylsham.

The couple also object to the height of the metal flue - the subject of a listed building enforcement order from Broadland District Council.

Bure Valley Farm owners David and Jackie Browne have appealed the order and an independent planning inspector is due to visit the site on February 11.

Mrs Moore, a part-time holistic therapist and carer for eldest son Harrison, 11, said: 'The smell is disgusting. It is acrid, makes your nose tingle and throat hurt. The children hate it and dread it. The flue is an eyesore to look at.'

The couple also have daughters Mianna, nine, Isabelle, six, and son Wilson, four, who has asthma. It is not known if the condition is related to the smoke.

Mr and Mrs Moore, who are not against green energy, moved to the Grade II listed farmhouse, dating back to the 15th century, in August 2011.

They bought the home from Mr and Mrs Browne who moved to a converted barn on the farm.

According to the therapist, smoke problems started in April 2012 when their neighbours fitted a boiler which heats their barn and three holiday lets. The flue also spoiled the look of the farmhouse.

'We are lovingly trying to update the house to make it our forever home. We are hoping that the boiler will go but moving will be a consideration if it doesn't.'

The couple first complained to Broadland's environmental health department in September 2012.

Mr and Mrs Browne did not want to comment on the appeal before the planning inspector arrived. But in a letter to the council they said a biomass boiler was put in with a flue after planning and listed building consent was granted for their barn conversion. The flue height was increased after smoke complaints and the council told them to paint the flue black.

A Broadland letter says the flue was erected without listed building consent and the large metal flue had an unacceptable impact upon the character of the surrounding listed buildings.

A council spokesman added the biomass boiler needed a new listed building application which 'has not been done' - so an enforcement notice had been issued requiring the flue to be removed.

The inspector's decision would be given in writing and would take about six weeks following the visit.

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