Cock-a-doodle-DON'T?

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'Townies' kick up a stink over cockerel noise after moving to the country

 

 

By Andrew Levy

Last updated at 1:24 AM on 22nd May 2010

 

 

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Row: City dwellers in Norfolk are threatening legal action over noisy cockerels

 

To those born and bred in the countryside, the sound of cockerels is part of the noise of everyday life.

But for city dwellers with rural second homes the early-morning crowing is an unwanted alarm call.

Newcomers to the village of Burnham Market, in Norfolk - which is nicknamed 'Chelsea-on-Sea' because of the number of wealthy Londoners with homes in it - have protested that cockerels on allotments near their homes are causing sleepless nights.

And, after one threatened legal action unless the birds are removed, councillors are considering bowing to their wishes.

Furious locals have defended the tradition, however, arguing it is an intrinsic part of life in the village.

Retired soldier Raymond Salmon, 86, who has lived there for more than 40 years, complained outsiders were trying to sweep away country life.

'When I came here it was a nice little village, but now it's been taken over by yuppies and 4x4s,' he said.

 

'The complaints are just from one or two holidaymakers that have come in from London and never heard the countryside before.'

Another resident, who declined to be named, said: 'People in cities don't mind noise from traffic and trains, but as soon as they come here and find something different they think it's unbearable.

'They're the ones who are unbearable.'

Burnham Market is renowned for its high property prices, upmarket shops and regular sightings of celebrities including Britain's Got Talent judge Amanda Holden, who lives nearby.

 

 

 

Upmarket: Burnham Market has a population of more than 1,000 but two-thirds of houses are now second homes

 

The three complaints and a legal threat about bird calls starting as early as 3.30am have come from people living near 25 parish-council owned allotments where locals have kept poultry for more than a decade.

To back their case, the out-of-towners have turned to the 1950 Allotment Act.

This states it is lawful to keep hens and rabbits on allotment land unless they are prejudicial to health or cause a nuisance - but cockerels are not mentioned.

 

This omission means the complainants could sue the parish council for not taking action.

One newcomer, who asked not to be named, said: 'It's illegal. This was made clear to the parish council in January, but it's been allowed to fester on and cause a great deal of confrontation in the village.'

Beverley Boughen, clerk of Burnham Market Parish Council, said councillors were seeking legal advice on the matter.

 

 

The Norfolk town dates back to the 17th century. New-comers to the village are threatening legal action over noisy cockerels

 

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1280254/Townies-kick-stink-cockerel-noise-moving-country.html#ixzz0oeYEhQAg