SOUTH West Water evicted the resident of Burrator Lodge last week as it prepares to turn the historic building into a tourist centre, writes Alan Gregory.
The water company has applied to convert the building into a café, a decision condemned by West Devon Borough Council, the local parish council and the subject of a public outcry from people who claim the company is trying to turn the area into a 'honey pot'.
Samantha Mead, who has lived in the lodge for almost two years, has been given two months to leave and says she feels badly treated by SWW.
She took on the lease in July 1998 on a six-month contract. It was then renewed on a monthly basis. The rent was cheap — £100 per month for three bedrooms, two lounges and two bathrooms in a beautiful setting, but Miss Mead claimed the building had been allowed to deteriorate and was very dilapidated, requiring a lot of work by the tenant.
'I knew they had plans for the building, but they gave me the impression I would be able to have the flat afterwards,' she said. 'Even though I mentioned some of the problems, I didn't want to seem to be awkward.'
The problems include the Rayburn stove, which also heats the house and water. The temperature cannot be regulated and the near-boiling water it produces is brown — unsuitable for cooking, washing up and bathing. Fresh drinking water is not available either because the filtration system is broken.
West Devon Borough Council's environmental health department inspected the property. It reported: 'The lack of an adequate and wholesome supply of water is a sufficiently serious defect to render the lodge unsuitable for occupation. Also, the temperature of the defective Rayburn cannot be controlled and this defect similarly renders the property unfit.'
There was also a break-in at the house recently.
'The broken glass has never been replaced because they have plans for the property and they never even called me to see if I was okay,' said Miss Mead.
She said there had been a number of exchanges between her and the company, which ended with the notice to quit.
'I have to be out by March 16,' she said. 'I'm really upset, mad and angry about the way they went about it. It was like it was all planned to get me out of the house so they can build their café,' she said.
Stephen Swain, spokesman for SWW, said: 'We believe we dealt with the tenant in a scrupulous manner, but we won't discuss any aspects of what is a private matter between the company and the tenant.'
l See reservoir story on page 7.