A woman who grew up in a traditional Broads cottage that was knocked down to make way for a controversial modernist property has spoken of her sadness at the loss of the house.
Susan Oldfield, the daughter of Archie Taylor - a reed cutter considered the 'last of the old marshmen' - said she was “heartbroken” the building, near Rockland Broad, had been replaced.
The original thatched cottage, Reed Cutters, was demolished in 2017 and in its place a new property of the same name was built, made from wood and glass and finished entirely in jet black.
As this newspaper reported earlier this month, local opinion is split over the building - which has been likened to a James Bond villain’s lair - with some locals questioning how it was granted planning permission.
In a comment on the EDP website, Ms Oldfield, 69, said: “I was privileged to have been brought up there, it was so pretty, especially in summer. It looks somewhat different today.
“I was heartbroken when I learned my family home had been demolished. What can I say other than ‘I wish I could turn back time’? What a beautiful childhood I had there.”
While the destruction of the original property was approved in 2017 by the Broads Authority, Ms Oldfield has revealed that she had no idea her former home was being knocked down.
She told MailOnline: "It is painful. It was such a pretty area and it wasn't until someone mentioned it to me [that it was being demolished] that I went down there and felt breathless and devastated.
"I couldn't believe that my home was gone.
"I'm shocked, but I guess you can't stop progress."
She said she had met the new owner, who has declined to comment on the controversy around the home.
"I came a long way and felt upset," she added. "Emotional as that was my home, my childhood home that was full of happy memories.
"To have it bulldozed down and have this new structure in place is very different to say the least."
She said she had visited the property a few times, but always felt "upset" and "sickened".
She said the new home was "lovely" on the inside, but had reservations about the colour and surrounding fencing.
She added she had "strong views" about the new property still being called Reed Cutters, as it was no longer a cottage.
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