Copyright dailyrecord
A family must take down their front garden fence after being told by council planners that it caused “unacceptable harm to the visual amenity and open character of the area”. Mum Sophie Daly applied for permission to keep the 1.98m timber fence and a new gate which was put up between February and April this year. The family, from Chepstow in Wales, had hoped it would offer better protection than the hedge it replaced from noise and pollution from the busy A48. However, members of Monmouthshire County Council's planning committee refused the retrospective application despite local support for the “modern but respectable” garden fence. Ms Daly described the fence as “enhancing safety and security” for her child and the family’s large breed dog . The fence was put up at the house on St Lawrence Road between February and April this year and Ms Daly made a retrospective application to keep it in August. Her bid was supported by Conservative councillor for the town’s Mount Pleasant ward, Paul Pavia, Chepstow Town Council and the only neighbour who contacted Monmouthshire County Council’s planning department who said as a resident “they enjoy seeing the new well-kept addition” and described the garden fence as “modern but respectable”. Council planners disagreed and said due to the “prominent location” at a gateway to the town the gate and fence “cause unacceptable harm to the visual amenity and open character of the area” and recommended councillors refuse the application. Planning officer Philip Thomas said the house is on a “visually prominent entrance to Chepstow”. Members of the planning committee agreed and rejected the application, though three councillors voted against the recommendation of refusal and one abstained. Conservative councillor for Devauden Rachel Buckler said she understood the concerns put forward but added: “I do think it is detrimental and not in keeping and, to my mind, the hedge was better.” Independent member for Wyesham Emma Bryn said she feared allowing the fence would “set a precedent” that could have “a really negative effect on the environment of Chepstow.” Cllr Pavia reminded the committee there had been no objection from the council’s highways department, or the Welsh Government that is responsible for the A48, and said it offered “protection from one of Chepstow’s busiest roads.” He added: “It is very near the infamous Highbeech roundabout. It is not a rural lane but a noisy, polluted urban corridor.” The committee was also recommended to refuse the application due to a lack of “appropriate ecological mitigation or compensation” for the hedge that was removed. Ms Dally’s application said a bird box and “bug hotel” would be provided in the front garden.
