‘Aggressive’ geese and ‘out-of-control’ horses are ‘terrorising’ people in Norfolk
Neighbours living in a remote beauty spot are currently in a bitter row over ‘out-of-control’ animals.
A community of eight people have lived at former pub the Berney Arms, in the Norfolk Broads between Reedham and Great Yarmouth, since 2015.
But the group is now attempting to evict one of its neighbours after accusing her of keeping geese which are ‘attacking’ people, horses which roam freely and a pet fox cub.
The owner of the pub and its surrounding land, Raymond Hollocks, 70, said: ‘I have had reports of the geese attacking people.
‘And there is CCTV footage showing the horses roaming freely on my land, and running past people at speed.
‘My tenants have told me the geese are aggressive. And I have concerns about a wild fox living here.’
Sharon Davis, 53, says she has not broken any conditions of the tenancy agreement and insists her animals are kept safely and securely.
She said: ‘I moved here because I have horses and there is lots of space here.
‘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. [Raymond] is leaving us to rot. This eviction is a revenge eviction.’
She claims Raymond is refusing to renovate the property, and that’s why he is trying to evict her.
But neighbours seem to support his bid for eviction.
Nettie Southgate, 57, who lives in a static home next to Sharon’s chalet, said: ‘It is so lovely, so tranquil, so quiet.
‘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, 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 remote area has no public road access and the community live in a collection of caravans, outbuildings and boats.
But the Broads Authority – which looks after the national park area – claims the structures do not have planning permission and has launched a legal bid to evict the entire community.
Sharon joined the community in August 2021 but claims she argued with Raymond when they first met, and complained to the council about the safety of the building.
A Broadland Council spokesman said: ‘The council has served an Emergency Prohibition Order regarding the safety of [Sharon’s 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.’
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