Furious local residents have criticized their council as ‘pranksters’ after a man was ordered to tear down an 8ft fence around his garden.
Residents of Limes Avenue in Derby were delighted when Matt Hubbard and his family moved into this Grade II listed cottage two years ago.
For decades, the garden next to the 19th-century monumental building had become a wilderness. Trees blocked the light, bushes grew in the road and there was rubbish from the nearby Tesco supermarket in the garden.
Mr Hubbard spent thousands of pounds clearing the garden and installing a standard 8ft high fence to give his family some privacy and reduce litter.
But he had not asked the council’s planners for permission and when they heard what he had done, they ordered him to demolish everything, sparking outrage among his neighbors.
Residents of Derby’s Limes Avenue had thanked their lucky stars when Matt Hubbard and his family moved into the Grade II listed cottage two years ago
Mr Hubbard has spent thousands of pounds clearing the garden and installing a standard eight-foot fence to give his family some privacy and reduce litter.
He had not asked the council’s planners for permission and when they heard what he had done, they ordered him to demolish everything, sparking outrage among his neighbors.
Helena Warner, 72, who lives across the street, said: ‘If the council thought what was there before was acceptable and this wasn’t, then they should get their heads tested.
‘There was no light because of the many trees. I didn’t even know the cottage had a separate outbuilding because it was completely covered in bushes.’
And retired serviceman Kev Creasy, 68, added: “It’s absolutely ridiculous. We’ve got so many problems that the council needs to sort out on this street. You only have to look at the pavement and it’s got holes in it.
‘Then there are the parking problems, which they could have solved with a few yellow lines, there is drug trafficking and they are arresting a bunch who have made things smarter.
“I honestly think they’re complete buffoons.”
The charming cottage was once part of the ancient village of Mickleover, which dates back to the Doomsday Book.
But due to urbanization the area is now bordered by two low-rise apartment buildings on one side and a Tesco supermarket on the other.
It was placed on the list in 1977 when the municipality set up a project in which dozens of maisonettes were built in addition to the apartments.
Landmark status means owners are required to seek permission before making any changes to their properties.
Helena Warner, 72, who lives across the road, said: ‘If the Council thought what was there before was acceptable and this wasn’t then they should have their heads tested.’
The charming cottage was once part of the ancient village of Mickleover, which dates back to the Doomsday Book
When an unknown complainant alerted the council planners, Mr Hubbard applied for retrospective planning permission, which was refused and an appeal was dismissed
Retired soldier Kev Creasy, 68, added: “It’s absolutely ridiculous. There are so many problems the council needs to fix on this street. You only have to look at the pavement and it’s got holes in it.”
Mr Hubbard said he knew this referred to the property itself, but was not aware that there was also fencing not attached to the building.
‘When we moved in two years ago, the garden was in such a bad state that it was a priority to clean it up and make it liveable.’
‘The fence that was there had collapsed and was low, so people were throwing stuff inside from people leaving the supermarket.
‘When we went to clean up, we found a stolen backpack and a stolen handbag. We turned both of them in to the police.
‘I knew the listed status meant we had to get permission for any changes to the property, so we left through the original side gate. I didn’t know this applied to a fence.’
When an unknown complainant alerted Council planners, Mr Hubbard applied for retrospective planning permission. This was refused and an appeal was dismissed.
In their reasoning, the planners stated that the fence was ‘excessively high and bulky’ and ‘did not fit in’ with the streetscape.
Julie Woodhouse, 57, who manages a residential property at the end of the Avenue, said: ‘I don’t know what street scene they were looking at. They had Tesco put up a big blue sign overlooking their garden and they did nothing when it was an eyesore.
“It was so unkempt, I didn’t know they had a driveway. This couple did a fantastic job.
‘The Council must get a grip. There are such holes in the road to the home that it is not safe for our elderly residents to walk up and down.
“And because they have failed to put up double yellow lines, it is sometimes impossible for emergency services to pass and get to us. Their priorities are all wrong.”
Many residents pointed out that last year the council approved the opening of a large bar and restaurant at the beginning of the Avenue, where there are only six parking spaces.
Because there is also a gym nearby, the road becomes very busy and only a small section has double yellow lines.
Many residents pointed out that the council had last year given permission for a large bar and restaurant to open at the top of the Avenue, which has only six parking spaces.
A historic photo of the cottage garden which was completely obscured by trees before the current owner moved in
A hole in the sidewalk opposite the house that residents believe the municipality should prioritize
Brian Bourne, 77, added: ‘I’ve lived here for 24 years and the trees in that yard had grown to 30 feet. At one point it was covered in ivy. He’s made that place 100 percent better.
‘It was used for tipping because the fence was so low you could just throw things over it and the Council did nothing about it.
“Now he comes along, puts up a proper fence and they want it taken down. It’s madness. They put flower boxes in there and the council told him he had to take those down too.”
A 70-year-old man who looks after the planters around the small residents’ car park said: ‘They’ve done a lovely job of making the garden and the fence couldn’t be any lower as the plot is on a slope and they wouldn’t have any privacy from people leaving Tesco.’
Visitor Chris Orme added: ‘It’s just ridiculous. There are some disgraceful backyards in Derby and they’re taking a smart fence?’
And Lynn Clough, 58, said: ‘We have a big hole in our pavement which is the subject of a personal injury claim. They came out two weeks ago and ‘fixed’ it and the hole has already returned.’
The owner of the property, Mr Hubbard, is negotiating with the council about what happens next and says he is close to reaching an agreement.
‘We will need to make some changes to the fencing at the front of the property, but not to the fencing at the back, next to Tesco.
‘They say the building needs to be more visible from the street and therefore they want some of the panels at the front removed.
‘The Council have also said they will be putting in double yellow lines as there are times when it is impossible for us to pull out due to parked cars and turn the necessary corner.’
A spokesman for Derby City Council said: ‘The landowner’s appeal against our refusal of retrospective planning permission was dismissed last month. The planning inspector noted that a solid fence along part of the front boundary would be detrimental to the character and appearance of the area and the setting and significance of Fennel Cottage, a Grade II listed building.
‘Our aim is to remove the fence in consultation with the landowner, but we have the power to take formal enforcement action if a voluntary resolution is not reached. No fines have been issued.’