Brighton councillor urges neighbour to withdraw cockerel complaint

Tristram Burden, a Labour councillor for Queen’s Park ward, visited the home of the Allen family in Craven Road, Brighton, after the council revoked their permission to keep their rooster, named Trousers, in their garden following a noise complaint.

In a letter, seen by The Argus, dated July 5 the family were told to rehome their cockerel within two weeks – by July 19.

Matt Allen with Trousers and his daughter Ostara, who is holding one of Trousers' daughters called Lulu (Image: Adele Allen)

The complaints came from their neighbour William Ranieri.

The 48-year-old said the cockerel’s crowing disturbs him “day in, day out” and prompts “irrational responses” such as “shaking, stomach cramps and anger”.

But mum-of-three Adele Allen said her family are appealing the council's decision. 

Trousers the cockerel could be rehomed (Image: Matt Allen)

The 39-year-old said her daughter Ostara, eight, would be "heartbroken" to lose her pet. 

Matt Allen, 40, said: “We won’t let him go. He is Ostara’s beloved pet and we have bonded with him. She takes him out and puts him in come rain, shine or even snow.

“Our children’s mental health will suffer should they lose their pet.”

Adele Allen, centre, with her daughters Ostara, left, and Kai, right, and Trousers the cockerel (Image: Matt Allen)

• READ MORE: Brighton man 'tortured' by 'incessantly crowing' cockerel 

As well as visiting the family, Councillor Burden spoke to other nearby residents in the Craven Vale estate.

He said: “No other residents have ever voiced a complaint, and some of them didn’t even know their neighbours had a rooster.

“Trousers is quite a small, elderly guy, and consequently not the volume I was expecting, especially in comparison with seagulls and other urban noises. They've gone to great lengths to minimise the amount of disturbance their hens and rooster make, from rat-proofing their coop, to housing Trousers indoors overnight."

Ostara Allen has written 'We love Trousers so save him now' in chalk on her pavement (Image: Adele Allen)

Cllr Burden added: “While I appreciate it’s been causing Mr. Ranieri distress, I’ve asked whether he can put up with the quite modest noise for another few months and find it in his heart to withdraw his complaint so the Allen kids can keep their beloved pet.

“I’ve also urged the council to reconsider having the Allen's rehome him.”

Neighbour William Ranieri says he is 'tortured' by Trousers' 'incessant crowing' (Image: William Ranieri)

A spokesman for Brighton and Hove City Council said: “We can withdraw permission for a council tenant to keep a pet when appropriate.

“We cannot comment on individual cases.”