A length of fencing in Ventnor may have to come down for being unacceptable and visually intrusive.
The shiplap fencing now installed around the boundary of 11 High Street, also facing onto Tulse Hill, could have to come down if the Isle of Wight Council issues an enforcement notice.
In the retrospective application, Mr Antony Wherrett said the application was being submitted because the council’s enforcement team had asked him to do so.
The fencing was erected in April last year, replacing the existing fence and hedges around the flat’s courtyard, after a lorry crashed into the boundary wall, damaging the wall, fence and gas pipe.
During the work to fix the gas pipe, which had to be repositioned, further sections of the boundary wall were demolished and areas found to be unstable due to the roots of the hedges. This led to the wall being repaired and repointed with the hedges removed altogether.
Mr Wherrett said the fencing style was chosen after surveying the surrounding area and said he had received nothing but compliments from neighbours about the removal of the hedges, which at times created a hazard.
He also said, in a heritage statement submitted in favour of the application, the architectural and historic character of the building had not been changed or impacted by the change and it had tidied up the scruffy corner.
The High Street site, however, is part of the Ventnor Conservation Area and while Mr Wherrett said the fencing enhanced the area and quality of street frontage, Ventnor Town Council said the boarding was not appropriate and did not support the application.
In its reasons for rejecting the application, Isle of Wight Council planning officers said the fencing was visually intrusive and out of context with the property, jarring with the white stone building and it was unacceptable.
Officers said the fencing significantly harmed the intrinsic character of the conservation area, as its prominent position would further emphasise its inappropriate scale and materials.
They were also concerned about the impact the fencing had on neighbours.
The decision, however, could be appealed to the Planning Inspectorate.
What a bunch of useless busy-bodies wasting OUR money on their own egos.
Hedges? Don’t they mean trees?
Well I walk pass that most days and the birds used to live in there, don’t think birds can live IN a fence. They should of just cut it back. More nature gone then…..
Don’t object then if someone rips out hedges or trees to build a new estate near you then. NIMBY;s
Really is that all they have to do, put it back how it was and make it look like crap instead of clean and tidy;
It only looked crap because it wasn’t cut back and looked after. “Le Tour De Gone”
well the council think they are the top dogs but we pay our council tax to them and get nothing. when someone does the right thing and makes the area nice. what a lot of hoo haa they should thank the man for making it very nice, anyway hedges and trees are a lot of trouble the roots go all over the place.
What a really good job, if he needs letters of support I am in for that.
Actually admire that little property when I walk past, so whoever would do this is just silly.
They can leave shops in Ventnor town, empty, being filled up with pigeon poo but god forbid someone spends money to put a nice new fence in!
Stupid
Shame the photo doesn’t show the eyesore of a building that’s going up there to, not in keeping with the town/road at all.
Give someone a badge and they think they can rule the world! complete waste of time and tax payers money!!!
I think it looks lovely nice and neat and should be allowed to stay
Seen it yesterday and thought it looked a lot better .
Tidier than previously .
What is the problem ?
“DONT FENCE ME IN” as sung by Bing Crosby
Damn site tidier than that overgrown hedge.
Yet the council allow the eyesore that has gone up next door.