Former nurse, 83, puts shed for her mobility scooter in parking space because she doesn’t drive – but landlord demands she removes it

• Emeritus Homes said the plastic shed is a ‘fire’ risk due to the scooter’s battery

A woman who was ordered to tear-down a shed which stores her mobility scooter has vowed that she won’t give in ‘without a fight’ and is prepared to stage a ‘sit-in’ protest if necessary.

Dot Slater, 83, built the shed on the parking space outside her retirement flat, in Colwyn Bay, Wales, where she has lived for the past nine years.

But it sparked complaints from residents and she is now locked in a battle with Emeritus Homes Ltd, who own the block, over the future of the 8x6ft shed which also houses a neighbour’s mobility scooter.

Former nurse Dot, who suffers from rheumatoid arthritis and osteoporosis, claims she got a verbal agreement from a senior member of staff before erecting the shed and needs it to protect her scooter in bad weather.

She said: ‘I can’t see what I’ve done wrong. I had permission to put the shed up.

Dot Slater who was ordered to tear-down her shed (pictured) which stores her mobility scooter has vowed that she won’t give in ‘without a fight’

Emeritus Homes have told Dot in writing that she didn’t have permission to put up the shed and she can have a replacement structure (pictured) if plans are formally submitted and approved

‘I won’t go down without a fight and if they come to take it down I will sit in it.’

Emeritus Homes have told Dot in writing that she didn’t have permission to put up the shed and she can have a replacement structure if plans are formally submitted and approved.

But the grandmother-of-three has described the metal structure they want to erect as ‘ugly’ and more akin to an electricity junction box found on a street corner.

She said: ‘I thought my shed would be a tidy solution.

‘Before that, the only way I could store my scooter in winter was putting a plastic bike sheet over it.

‘My scooter is important to me because it means I can go out to the town centre instead of paying for a taxi.’

As well as receiving objections from what she believes are a ‘minority’ of residents, Emeritus Homes have told her that her plastic shed is ‘fire’ risk due to the battery from her scooter.

But Dot says she disconnects the battery when she parks up and the shed is too far away from residents’ flats to pose any risk.

Emeritus Homes have told Dot that her plastic shed is a ‘fire’ risk due to the battery from her scooter

Dot says Emeritus Homes property services director David Arthan visited her last week to offer her assurances that the row can be resolved, but she’s still uncertain what will happen

‘I’m not aware of any complaints personally,’ she said.

‘People have told me that the shed looks nice and a bit like a summer house.

‘I think it’s only a small number of residents who’ve complained.

‘But I was so upset I didn’t come out of my flat for a few days.

‘There’s a lot of fantastic people in here and I get on well with most of them.

‘I can’t be that unpopular because they threw me a surprise birthday party the other day to cheer me up!’

She says she has not been told how much an alternative shed would cost, only that the £800 she paid for hers will hopefully be recouped when its sold to someone else.

Dot says Emeritus Homes property services director David Arthan visited her last week to offer her assurances that the row can be resolved, but she’s still uncertain what will happen.

‘Emeritus have promised to give me more time and that I won’t be left without a shed,’ she said.

‘But it’s caused me a lot of stress and worry.

‘And my family aren’t happy either – but what can they do?’

Emeritus Homes were contacted for comment.

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