Fence height row reaches conclusion (From The Northern Echo)

Fence height row reaches conclusion

4:36pm Friday 17th February 2012 in Redcar News

A ROW over the height of a fence on a housing estate in Saltburn has finally been resolved.

Jonathan Thrush chopped down a privet hedge at the side of his home before replacing it with a wooden fence, to the annoyance of several of his neighbours.

Mr Thrush, who lives in The Fairway, believed he was working within planning regulations when he erected his 6ft-fence but, because of the difference in height between his garden and the pavement, he was told he needed planning permission following complaints by neighbours.

In November, Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council's planning committee spent 90 minutes discussing the retrospective application before deciding to defer its decision.

And yesterday, the committee spent another hour debating the merits of the application for the fence.

One objector, Tony Waller, who lives opposite Mr Thrush, said the wooden fence contravenes the council's guidance and is an eyesore which spoils the look of the estate.

He said: "I can't understand why the planning department wishes to grant planning consent when it violates several of the council's planning conditions."

Members of the committee pointed out that many fences and hedges on the estate are higher than Mr Thrush's fence, to which Mr Waller said: "I agree, there are some extremely high hedges, but what we are talking about here is a high wooden fence and it looks awful - it doesn't suit the area."

Joe Cockfield, who also lives in The Fairway, also objected to the fence calling it a "wart on the estate" and called on councillors to reject the application.

However, Mr Thrush defended his right to privacy and maintained that the height of the fence from inside his garden was well within the two-metre parameter before requiring planning permission. He collected more than 40 signatures from neighbourings in support of the fence.

He said: "Last time, we didn't feel that our privacy issues were really aired. We would like to have some of the same privacy that most people can have in their own gardens and there are more than five times more people supporting than there are objecting to the fence."

Members of the committee were swayed by the applicant's argument and approved the application.