Case file · Series 13, Episode 7 · Season 13, Episode 7
Not in My Back Yard
A modern house divides a conservation group before accusations of planning corruption are followed by methodical killings.
The 60-second case card
Should I watch this one?
Planning paperwork, architectural taste and village influence form a surprisingly efficient machinery for murder.
- Best for
- Development · Local politics · Architecture
- Mood
- Classic
- Team
- DCI Tom Barnaby with DS Ben Jones
- Spoiler guidance
- Read the premise freely; open the marked sections only after watching. Check the linked provider advisory for further viewing information.
Why it matters
Planning paperwork, architectural taste and village influence form a surprisingly efficient machinery for murder.
Great Pelfe's conservation society erupts when the modern Swanscombe House features in an open-gardens event. Members publicly accuse the architect, builder and officials of corruption connected with a further planning application.
A leading campaigner is stabbed, evidence disappears and people linked to the alleged scheme die in deaths shaped by their professions. Barnaby and Jones realise that somebody is eliminating a chain of participants rather than merely winning a design argument.
Break the seal: reveal the finding
Who was the killer in Not in My Back Yard? (spoiler)
The corruption allegations are substantially true, and the killer is covering a role in the scheme. The sequence of deaths follows who could expose the next link.
Spoiler-safe viewing companion
Three questions to carry into the episode
Three spoiler-safe questions for your rewatch.
- Place
What does Great Pelfe conceal?
- Theme
Which details could have more than one meaning?
- Teamwork
Watch DCI Tom Barnaby and DS Ben Jones: who notices what?
More episode detailsProduction, cast, deaths and filming information
Credits, context and checked facts
Production and cast
- TV series
- Series 13
- Episode number
- Episode 7
- Written by
- J.C. Wilsher
- Directed by
- Peter Smith
- Listed transmission date(s)
- 12 January 2011
- Reported filming period
- May–June 2010
- Detective
- DCI Tom Barnaby
- Partner
- DS Ben Jones
- Pathologist
- Dr George Bullard · Barry Jackson
- Principal setting
- Great Pelfe
- Casebook tone
- Classic
Sources accompany the production credits and filming links.
Fictional settings and real filming places are listed separately. Filming links include 3 mapped areas; 4 exact sites.
Credits and archive connections
- Writer credits1 episode credited to J.C. Wilsher
- Director credits22 episodes directed by Peter Smith
- Release positionCase 80 of 144
- Story characterClassic · Development · Local politics
- Location evidence4 exact screen-use matches
Dorney Court represents Fiona Conway's Pelfe Hall.
Thame Town Hall appears as Causton Town Hall during the planning investigation.
Sources for the production file
Published episode chronology and credits ↗Official ITV programme page ↗Filming-location reference index ↗Credits follow the linked chronology. Dates can differ between territories. Consult original credits for story, teleplay and adaptation wording. External synopses may contain spoilers.
Selected episode credits
Not in My Back Yard cast
These selected cast entries link to their published profiles. They do not include every name shown in the end credits.
Jane Wymark
Kirsty Dillon
Dorothy Atkinson
Amanda Drew
Alistair Petrie
Hugo Speer
Peter Egan
Joan Blackham
Dominic Mafham
David Annen
Polly Kemp
Jill Baker
Linda Marlowe
Maroussia Frank
Chris Sloman
Ned Derrington
The performers behind this case
Core cast
Follow the cast links for full actor and character guides.
John Nettles
Tom Barnaby · Detective Chief Inspector- Bergerac
- Poldark
- Royal Shakespeare Company
Jason Hughes
Ben Jones · Police Constable · Detective Sergeant · Inspector- This Life
- Marcella
- The Pact
Barry Jackson
Dr George Bullard · Police pathologist- Cathy Come Home
- Doctor Who
- Barry Lyndon
Image credits identify the licence used. No programme publicity stills are reproduced.
Forensic team
Dr George Bullard
- Credit
- Resident pathologist
- Played by
- Barry Jackson
Spoiler-controlled deaths
Deaths recorded in this case
3 people die in this case, according to the linked death record.
Break the seal: reveal the list of deaths
- Maureen Stubbs
Murder · Stabbing or impalement
Performer check- Maureen Stubbs: Joan Blackham
- Clifford Bunting
Murder · Crushing
Performer check- Clifford Bunting: Alistair Petrie
- Geoff Rogers
Murder · Poisoning
Performer check- Geoff Rogers: Hugo Speer
Break a second seal: reveal the verified killer
Who was the killer in Not in My Back Yard? (spoiler)
Liz GerrardLiz killed Maureen Stubbs when Maureen was about to expose the development scam, then killed Clifford Bunting after his blackmail and Geoff Rogers when he wanted out. Angela Lawrence assisted the wider conspiracy but is not identified as a physical killer; Liz's attempt to poison Norman Swanscombe and frame James Otley was interrupted.
Verified motive
Liz killed to protect the covert Pelfe Chase supermarket scheme, its promised financial future and the professional career exposure would destroy: Maureen carried proof, Bunting tried blackmail and Rogers became dangerous when he wanted out. She then tried to kill Swanscombe and use the stolen ketamine and exotic toxin to frame Otley.
Verified important clue
Archive case 80 · checked 16 September 2026The copied Pelfe Chase development planThe duplicate sets out the staged cost overruns and eventual supermarket rescue behind the public housing proposal, proving the commercial conspiracy Maureen was about to expose; her access to it explains why Liz killed her, while the later drug evidence and interrupted poisoning distinguish the subsequent victims and attempted frame.
Verified decisive clue
Archive case 80 · checked 17 September 2026The copied Pelfe Chase development planThe duplicate sets out the engineered cost overruns and supermarket rescue behind the public housing proposal, proving the commercial conspiracy Maureen was about to expose. It explains Liz's three murders while later drug evidence separates Angela's accomplice role, Norman's interrupted poisoning and the attempted frame against James.
Verified death and discovery order
Archive case 80 · checked 16 September 2026- discoveryMaureen prepares to expose the development scam
Evidence in Maureen's possession threatens the covert Pelfe Chase supermarket plan and the careers and money attached to it.
- deathMaureen Stubbs is killed
Liz kills Maureen before she can disclose the scheme and the proof she has gathered.
- deathClifford Bunting is killed
Liz kills Bunting after he tries to blackmail the conspirators over the development.
- deathGeoff Rogers is killed
Rogers becomes the third victim when he wants to withdraw and threatens the scheme's survival.
- discoveryThe stolen drugs prepare a frame
Liz uses stolen ketamine and an exotic toxin to make James Otley appear responsible for another attack.
- discoveryThe attempt on Norman is interrupted
Police prevent Norman Swanscombe's poisoning and expose Liz as the physical killer, while Angela Lawrence remains an accomplice in the wider conspiracy.
Real place → fictional identity
Where was Not in My Back Yard filmed?
Beaconsfield Police Station
Used as: The building represents Midsomer Constabulary Police Station.
Representative photograph of the real filming location; the exact camera angle or building may differ.Dorney Court
Used as: The Tudor house becomes Pelfe Hall, Fiona Conway's home.
Great Haseley Village Hall
Used as: The hall is used as Liz Gerrard's house and farmstead.
Representative photograph of the real filming location; the exact camera angle or building may differ.
Thame Town Hall
Used as: The town hall returns as Causton Town Hall.
Representative photograph of the real filming location; the exact camera angle or building may differ.Sources accompany the identified filming places.
Wider filming areas