I was forced to cut down my trees & now council is threatening me over fence I put up instead – the reason is absurd
A COUPLE who were forced to cut down their trees are now being threatened by the council over a privacy fence they put up.
Barry Joseph and Christie Herbert, from Weeting in Norfolk, felled a row of six-foot trees so a water company could mend a broken pipe.
But now Breckland Council has ordered them to take down the panels outside their bungalow because it claims they are an eyesore – and threatened them with legal action if they refuse.
Retired TV engineer and HGV driver Barry, 69, 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.
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"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.
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"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 added: "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."
A Breckland Council spokesperson commented: "As this issue has been reported to us by a member of the public, we are legally obliged to investigate whether the fence complies with planning law.
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"The issue has now been referred to the Planning Inspectorate for consideration after being refused planning permission.
"Until a final decision has been made by the inspectorate we are unable to comment further."
