A homeless man is being evicted from a makeshift house he built into a wall on the beach.
The wooden hut comes complete with a front door, fitted windows, a tarpaulin roof and even has its own garden and hanging flower baskets – but the killjoy local council are ordering it to be torn down.
The beach hut is flanked by an existing stone wall at either side and has prime sea views at Mermaid beach in Folkestone, Kent.
But the homeless resident now faces eviction after the council slapped a notice on the front door calling for him to vacate his home before they demolish it.
Residents are furious and lambasted Folkestone and Hythe District Council for their decision, claiming the structure is doing no harm.
Cathy White said: “A homeless man built this beautiful shelter and garden.
“Folkestone and Hythe District Council have slapped a notice on it. Shame on them.”
Sabrina Johnson tweeted: “The poor guy is only seeking shelter for himself and his dog he has built it himself, costing the council absolutely nothing.”
Residents are calling for the council to leave the illegal structure alone.
Blogger Karen added: “Why can’t they just let it go? He’s not hurting anyone.”
But the council insist it is an “illegal structure” and asked the man to remove his belongings and vacate next week.
They are working with homeless charities to help give him access to support after they destroy his makeshift home.
A spokesperson said: “We are aware of the illegal structure on Marine Walk and our officers have issued notice for the man who is residing there to vacate and remove his belongings next week.
“The structure will then be dismantled.
“We are working closely with Porchlight and the Rainbow Centre who have made contact with the man to help him access the relevant help and support.”
The man, who asked not to be named, said today that he wanted to be able to stay in the self built structure but refused to comment further after the council served him notice to leave by next week.
Residents said the man has been in the area for more than a decade and that the space where he built the hut in Folkestone, Kent, had been left empty for years.
The homeless man is often seen by holidaymakers at Mermaid Beach tending to his pot plants in his well kept garden next to the structure which is flanked by an existing wall on the promenade.
Terrance O’Flynn said: “He’s not doing anyone any harm – nothing was sitting there for years.”
The 53-year-old, from Folkestone in Kent, added: “He’s a good guy, I’ve known him about ten years.
“He’s homeless but he doesn’t beg or steal.
“We’re in 2019 and homelessness shouldn’t exist.”
Coleen Baldock, who regularly walks along the promenade, said the structure was amazing but that it was built in the wrong place, near lots of expensive beach huts.
The 68-year-old, from Folkestone, said: “I think it’s amazing what he’s done. I’d give it ten out of ten.
“The garden is lovely and he’s got double glaze window and a door and roof.
“I couldn’t believe it when I saw it but I guess it’s in the wrong place.
“There are beach huts along from it and people pay a lot for them.”