A couple is selling their beloved nature reserve despite winning a long-running planning battle to have an observation yurt on their land.

Steve Hooper and Mary Alexander fought the Broads Authority to gain permission for the structure to be permanently located at Blackwater Carr in Postwick.

They say the yurt was needed to fulfil their dream of having a space for scientific and educational research and activities.

But despite finally being approved by the Broads Authority the couple say that the long battle has “tainted” their dream and are looking to sell the land for £100,000. 

Conservationists Steve Hooper and Mary AlexanderConservationists Steve Hooper and Mary Alexander (Image: Blackwater Carr) Mr Hooper said: "We have now put the site on the market.

"The Broads Authority has made it impossible and unsustainable for us to continue.

"I intend to be a thorn in their side for many years to come.

"They haven't heard the last of me."

The battle was over a yurt which the couple wanted to use for scientific research at the siteThe battle was over a yurt which the couple wanted to use for scientific research at the site (Image: Broads Authority) Hope that the couple might remain at the site was reignited back in August when plans to keep the yurt re-emerged with the Broads Authority, having first been rejected back in May.

However, Mr Hooper said they still planned to push ahead with the sale after the Broads Authority made it "difficult" for their work to continue.

READ MORE: Couple reignite row with Broads Authority over plans to keep a yurt on their land

He said: "It only went up on Monday but we have had some interest.

"We've done a lot of work there and hope that we can get something back."

Cllr Eleanor LamingCllr Eleanor Laming (Image: Eleanor Laming) Councillor for the Brundall ward, Eleanor Laming, welcomed the news that planning permission has been granted having supported the application from the start.

She said: "I was very pleased to hear that the plans have been approved, as the owners have been carrying out work to conserve nature and promote biodiversity on the site and the yurt enables them to store equipment for these uses.

"This was not just a scientific project, but someone's dream to try and improve our natural world."