Fence fight goes to wire

May 5 2008 by Dave Black, The Journal

ABUSINESSMAN who replaced a hedge surrounding his detached home with an industrial-style wire mesh fence has caused serious harm to the appearance of his picturesque neighbourhood, a planning expert has ruled.

Phil Hind, 63, fell foul of his neighbours and council planners last year when he erected the fence, steel posts and gates – which are up to 2.2 metres high in places – around the boundary of his corner plot in Darras Hall, Ponteland.

He had them installed for security reasons after being asked by highways officials to cut back his yew hedge, which was growing over the pavement and affecting visibility at the junction of Darras Road and Western Way.

Mr Hind, managing director of the Newcastle-based Automotive Group, later hung 19 colourful floral baskets from the top of the fence and planted rose bushes along the base on the grass verge in an attempt to make it look more attractive.

However, some local residents were unimpressed and complained about the unsightly nature of the fence to Castle Morpeth Council – which served Mr Hind with an enforcement notice ordering him to reduce the height of the structures to a maximum of one metre.

He appealed against the order, claiming many other Darras Hall property owners have erected new fences and gates, but now planning inspector John Braithwaite has upheld the enforcement order. He has been given six months to submit an acceptable planning application to replace the fencing and gates.

In his report Mr Braithwaite concedes that homes in Darras Hall have a variety of hedges, fences, walls and gates surrounding them, giving it a varied but distinctive character and appearance.

However, he says the structures erected around Mr Hind’s boundary are unlike any others in the area and are utilitarian in appearance and lack any character.

The report says: “The fence and gates lack any decorative detailing and, as suggested by residents of the area, have an industrial appearance that is incongruous in the residential area of Darras Hall. They have caused serious harm to the character and appearance of the area.”

Mr Braithwaite says the rose bushes planted on the grass verge are unlikely to ever adequately screen the fence, and further planting will not work either.

Mr Hind, a widower who has lived in the house for 20 years, could not be contacted for comment yesterday.