Permission was granted for a tattoo studio to open in Belton

A TATTOO artist has won permission to open a private studio in the garage of his Belton home.

Lee Devor’s application to run an appointment-only tattoo parlour from his home in Selwyn Drive sparked concern from neighbours worried about extra traffic and noise, and said opening a business in the area was “inappropriate”.

But members of Great Yarmouth Borough Council were keen to give him a chance to return to his job, after they heard his health problems prevented him from working for an employer.

Mr Devor, 43, suffers from health conditions including ME and severe arthritis but is desperate to continue his career as a tattoo artist. His partner Belinda Crayston, 46, spoke on his behalf at Tuesday’s planning meeting.

She said: “He was working and had to give up working and then hated it, and working from home is his only option.

“I don’t want to fall out with my neighbours, I just want my partner to be able to work.

“He’s suffering extremely with so many disabilities. And this is not about a seaside tattooist, this is about someone who just wants to be able to work so he can earn a living.”

She said he was only likely to be able to see one customer a day but appointments could be as scarce as once a week, depending on his day-to-day condition.

Members heard the studio, proposed to open 9am-7pm Monday to Friday and 9am-6pm on Saturdays, would not be advertised and clientle would be returning customers Mr Devor has already worked with.

Neighbour Clare Hamilton was among objectors and said she felt for his situation but was concerned about extra traffic and the safety of her children, and thought the studio would have a “detrimental” effect on residents.

Members sympathised but praised Mr Devor for wanting to go back to work and after considering the “exceptional circumstances”, put forward an amended proposal that neighbours were happier with. Cllr Jamie Smith suggested permission be given for the studio to open from 9am-3pm Monday to Friday, which was passed. The temporary permission was granted for a year.