We’re furious after developers said they are going to reduce the height of our 6ft privacy fence – we’re fighting back
FENCE FIGHT
Plans to trim the fence by 75 per cent of its height have left locals 'stressed out'
- Milad Sherzad, News Reporter
RESIDENTS have been left fuming after a housing developer said it would trim down their 6ft-tall privacy fence.
Bellway wants to reduce the height of the barrier surrounding part of the Ingleby Manor estate in Ingleby Barwick, North Yorkshire, which presently prevents entry to the land beyond it.
The developers also say it was always in their plans to trim the fence height from 1.8m to just 0.45m, although residents claim this would expose them to anti-social behaviour.
Other locals have also slammed the plans, saying they are worried about young children being able to access a pond - which is connected with the estate on the land.
They argue that they haven't been properly consulted on the project, and some even say they may have not bought their homes in the first places if they knew what they did now.
The boundary fence was constructed initially to keep the development secure during the building of a number of homes, which was completed in 2021.
One resident living in on Breton Drive, which backs into the fence, said the new barrier would be "absolutely tiny" if trimmed.
She claimed that there had been "loads of problems" in the woods behind the fence, saying that children were taking drugs and drinking alcohol in the covered area.
The resident, who did not want to be named, even alleged that women had been attacked beyond the fencing, reports TeesideLive.
She also explained that young children would no longer be protected from the pond, which fills up during the winter months.
The local added: "It’s really stressing people out, properties will be completely exposed, but Bellway won’t move on it.”
She also claimed that "none" of the residents would have bought their homes if they had known the fence would eventually be trimmed down.
The distressed local continued: "If the fence comes down we are not going to feel safe living here. We have tried to resolve this [with Bellway], but are just not getting anywhere."
Another homeowner on the street claimed her family were not informed that the fence was going to be changed in any way when they purchased the property five years ago.
On top of this, they said Bellway had not notified or consulted them about the cutting of the fence height - with them only finding out when two people from Bellway knocked on her family's door.
Echoing other residents, she also claimed there had been "anti-social behaviour, burglaries, and fly-tipping" nearby, and she fears the fence's trimming would put their family's safety at risk.
Bellway claimed in a statement that the original planning conditions meant the height of the fencing would have to be reduced - in order for public right of way access to be facilitated via footpaths from the estate.
The company explained that the current fence had been installed in order to prevent "unauthorised access" during construction.
However, while it understood the concerns of some residents, it said it has to adhere to the plans - otherwise it could risk enforcement action.
By Douglas Simpson
FURIOUS villagers have succeeded in having a 6ft tall fence, that was blocking beauty spot views, torn down.
Residents hit out at their local council for building the large "out of place" steel structure.
The massive 200 meter long, 6ft tall, spiked steel fence was built by Monmouthshire County Council in Clydach, Wales.
Residents were given no notice that the fence was to be erected at a cost of £40,000.
Furious with the hideous construction locals campaigned to have the fence removed.
It blocked beauty spot views of the Brecon Beacons National Park leaving local residents infuriated and demanding it be taken down.
Furious locals could see the fence on the hillside from their back gardens and said it failed to blend in.
A heated council meeting in April saw residents fume at the local council with one branding it "disgusting."
County council officials have now agreed to take down the fence, forking out an additional £20,000 for its removal.
Made of steel spikes, locals blasted the fence as "disgusting" and said it was "absolutely hideous."
A Bellway spokesman said a landscape plan for the site, used on customer marketing materials and shared with house buyers, showed three footpath entrances from roads next to the boundary.
However, residents have disputed this, claiming these designs were absent in other previously produced plans.
At these given points of the boundary, the height of the fence is set to be reduced from 1.8 metres to just 0.45 metres.
Helping residents, Stockton West MP Matt Vickers has joined in the fight, calling on Bellway to retain the fence at its current height.
His office said that a number of residents had reached out to him, asking for the fence to remain unchaged.
While some homeowners who oppose the change have been in touch with Stockton Council, the authority said it was not in any discussions with Bellway - adding the fence was not subject to any planning conditions.
Correspondence between residents and the local council seen by the Local Democracy Reporting Service said the row was a “civil matter” between homeowners and the developer, and it [the council] had no power to intervene.
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