We chopped up trees to put up a privacy fence but council want it torn down – the reason why is absurd
RESIDENTS who chopped up trees and replaced them with a privacy fence have now been told by the council to tear it down.
Barry Joseph, 69, from Weeting in Norfolk, was forced to fell a row of six-foot trees so a water company could mend a broken pipe.
But now Breckland Council has ordered him to take down the panels outside his bungalow because it claims they are an eyesore – and threatened him with legal action if he refuses.
The retired TV engineer and HGV driver said: “The water people paid for the fence and had it put up.
“The panels were 5ft 7in high so shorter than the row of six-foot trees we had before.
“The water leaked happened just before Christmas 2021 which is when our trees were pulled down.
“We received compensation but we missed the trees and wanted some privacy so we decided on the panels.
“We tried a plastic wood style but it wasn’t a success so we had the standard interwoven wooden one instead.
“The water people paid for that – we had five panels at £40 each plus some concrete posts and the cost of putting the fence up.
“We had absolutely no idea that the local Breckland District Council would suddenly write to us and tell us we needed to apply for retrospective planning permission.
“We did – it cost £200 and the water authority agreed to pay half the application-fee.
“But we were totally staggered to have it turned down. The council decided that the fence was out-of-character and spoiled the street scene.
“We were stunned – it is absurd because there are other people on the same estate have exactly the same fences – and one newcomer has just put up sixteen of the panels in front of his house.
“There have been no complaints from neighbours and neither does the parish council have any problem with the fence.
“Now a planning inspector will have to decide – all this for a few simple wooden panels that give us some privacy and don’t impact on anyone else living in the road.”
Barry’s partner of 30 years Christie Herbert said: “We came here for a quiet life and we love it here – but the local council seem determined to ruin our lives.
“Even the county council’s own community and environmental services had no objection to the new fence.”
Neighbour Colin Clearly said: “I can’t see what all the fuss is about – I have absolutely no objection to the fence – it gives them privacy and security.”
Another homeowner in the road said: “It’s farcical that the council is harassing this couple when in just the last few months someone else in the road has put up a 100-foot long fence – using exactly the same type and size of wooden panels.”
Breckland Council has been approached for comment.