A homeowner in North Yorkshire has been left fuming after councillors ordered him to remove a fence which stands less than a metre tall.
David Grange, a scaffolder from Ingleby Barwick, installed just 0.9-metre-high black metal railings outside his property in St Brides Court.
The modest barrier has sparked a heated neighbourhood row after being branded an "eyesore" by local officials.
Grange had not anticipated any issues with the railings, which he purchased from a local garden centre.
And though planning officers had initially approved the fence, when the retrospective application came before Stockton Council's planning committee on March 5, it was rejected.
During the committee meeting, councillors were scathing in their assessment of Grange's railings.
Councillor Sylvia Walmsley said: "It's an absolute mess. It's an eyesore. It impacts on the street scene."
Her colleague, Councillor Norma Stephenson, added: "I think it's a case of 'be careful what you wish for.' In my opinion, there'll be a lot of residents around here who'll want fencing".
She added: "It's not even up straight, for God's sake. I think if it's open plan, it's open plan and we stick to it."
MORE NEIGHBOUR ROWS:
The application was ultimately rejected by a vote of 9-4.
The rejection hinged on the fence's violation of the estate's intended "open plan condition" according to council officials.
That came despite planning experts saying the railings were harmless to both the neighbourhood atmosphere and pedestrian safety.
They had even noted that the structure maintained the area's openness while keeping sightlines intact.
Grange, who did not attend the meeting, said: "I didn't even think it'd come up for discussion.
"How can Stockton planning, who are the experts, say: 'Yes we would approve this fence,' but then it's gone to a committee meeting and the councillors have said: 'We don't like that'?
"It doesn't make sense to me... You wouldn't even notice the fence, it's not in your vision. By definition it's not even a fence."
But after his local authority's decision, Grange has reluctantly accepted the outcome.
"We'll take the railings down and consider appealing this decision or putting bushes in to replace the railings," he said.
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David Grange, a scaffolder from Ingleby Barwick, installed just 0.9-metre-high black metal railings outside his property in St Brides Court.
The modest barrier has sparked a heated neighbourhood row after being branded an "eyesore" by local officials.
Grange had not anticipated any issues with the railings, which he purchased from a local garden centre.
And though planning officers had initially approved the fence, when the retrospective application came before Stockton Council's planning committee on March 5, it was rejected.
During the committee meeting, councillors were scathing in their assessment of Grange's railings.
Councillor Sylvia Walmsley said: "It's an absolute mess. It's an eyesore. It impacts on the street scene."
Her colleague, Councillor Norma Stephenson, added: "I think it's a case of 'be careful what you wish for.' In my opinion, there'll be a lot of residents around here who'll want fencing".
She added: "It's not even up straight, for God's sake. I think if it's open plan, it's open plan and we stick to it."
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The application was ultimately rejected by a vote of 9-4.
The rejection hinged on the fence's violation of the estate's intended "open plan condition" according to council officials.
That came despite planning experts saying the railings were harmless to both the neighbourhood atmosphere and pedestrian safety.
They had even noted that the structure maintained the area's openness while keeping sightlines intact.
Grange, who did not attend the meeting, said: "I didn't even think it'd come up for discussion.
"How can Stockton planning, who are the experts, say: 'Yes we would approve this fence,' but then it's gone to a committee meeting and the councillors have said: 'We don't like that'?
"It doesn't make sense to me... You wouldn't even notice the fence, it's not in your vision. By definition it's not even a fence."
But after his local authority's decision, Grange has reluctantly accepted the outcome.
"We'll take the railings down and consider appealing this decision or putting bushes in to replace the railings," he said.
Find Out More...