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Advice please!

Hi we bought our house in November 2014 and have a 100ft long garden with a garage at the end away from the House at the other. Within 2 months of us living there we had seen two people in our garden - 1 claimed to be looking for a dog which never materialised and I can't remember the other poor excuse so we ordered 6ft high gates when they came we realised they would have to be fitted a foot off the ground as the garden is higher than the road. The gates have been in place 18 months and we have today received a letter from the Council saying that they contraven planning rules and we need to apply for retrospective planning permission. I am worried that they will not allow planning permission and ask us to remove the gates. Looking at the rules - I see we should only have a 1m high gate - that's what was there when people were climbing over it. We live on a well used Country Lane with 8ft high hedges either side of the gates - the gates open inwards so do not obstruct our view or anyone else's view up the road when opened or closed the only impact caused by the gates is that people can't see into our garden or climb over the gate. What is the best way to discuss this with teh Council? I will apply for retrospective planning but do I point out the gates have no impact?

Comments

  • hazyjo
    hazyjo Posts: 15,468
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    Spell out the reasons you did it. I doubt they'll want higher burglary stats in their area.


    Jx
    2023 wins: *must start comping again!*
  • bigfreddiel
    bigfreddiel Posts: 4,263 Forumite
    If you say they have no impact they could argue that you should remove them!

    We had a case here in Cornwall, where the house owner installed a small plastic double glazed window, not visible to the public from any direction.

    They were ordered to remove it and install a wooden framed window

    The reason? You let one person to get away with something thought to be trivial sets a precedent and opens the floodgates for others.

    Get some Rottweilers.


    fj
  • Point out the height of the hedges, the fact they open inwards and that you are doing it for your safety.
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  • Davesnave
    Davesnave Posts: 34,741
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    If you say they have no impact they could argue that you should remove them!

    I'm fairly sure the OP meant visual impact, as in obstructing a view of the highway, which is why the rules are there.

    What Cornwall Council do about UPVC windows seems somewhat unrelated.

    The need to apply for planning is there as a safeguard, so if there is really no impact on the safety of public using the lane, and if the gates don't fall foul of other planning law, such as that relating to conservation areas, it's likely the council will approve the application retrospectively.
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