Furious locals have branded their council “bumps” after a man was ordered to tear down an 8ft fence around his garden.
Residents of Derby’s Limes Avenue thanked their lucky stars when Matt Hubbard and his family moved into the Grade II listed cottage two years ago. degrees.
The garden next to the 19th-century listed building has turned into a wilderness for decades, with trees blocking the light, bushes straying into the road and litter from the neighboring Tesco supermarket littering it.
Mr Hubbard spent thousands of pounds clearing the garden and erecting a standard eight-foot fence to give his family some privacy and stop littering.
But he didn’t ask permission from the city council’s planners and when they heard what he had done, they ordered him to take it all down, sparking outrage from his neighbours.
Residents of Derby’s Limes Avenue thanked their lucky stars when Matt Hubbard and his family moved into the Grade II listed cottage two years ago.
Mr Hubbard spent thousands of pounds clearing the garden and erecting a standard eight-foot fence to give his family some privacy and stop littering.
He didn’t ask the city council’s planners for permission and when they heard what he had done they ordered him to take it all down, causing outrage from his neighbours.
Helena Warner, 72, who lives across the street, said: “If the Council thought what was there before was acceptable and this is not, then they need to get their head tested.
“There was no light because of all the trees, and I didn’t even know the cabin had a separate annex because it was all submerged in the undergrowth.
And retired soldier Kev Creasy, 68, added: “It’s absolutely ridiculous. We have so many problems that the Council needs to solve on this street. Just look at the sidewalk with holes.
“Then there’s the parking issues they could solve with a few yellow lines, there’s a drug deal and they’ll pick a couple that made things better.
“To be honest, I think they’re complete buffoons.
The charming cottage was once part of the ancient village of Mickleover, whose history dates back to the Doomsday Book.
But urban sprawl means it is now bordered by two low-rise blocks of flats on one side and a Tesco supermarket at the back.
It was listed in 1977, when apartments were created as part of the Council’s development along with dozens of maisonettes.
Listed status means owners are required to apply for permission before making any changes to their properties.
Helena Warner, 72, who lives across the street, said: “If the Council thought what was there before was acceptable and this is not, then they need to get their head tested.
The charming cottage was once part of the ancient village of Mickleover, whose history dates back to the Doomsday Book
When an unidentified complainant alerted Council planners, Mr Hubbard applied for retrospective planning permission. This was refused and the appeal dismissed
Retired soldier Kev Creasy, 68, added: “It’s absolutely ridiculous. We have so many problems that the Council needs to solve on this street. Just look at the sidewalk with holes.
Mr Hubbard said he knew it applied to the property itself but did not know it included a fence that was not attached to the building.
“When we moved in two years ago, the garden was in such a state,” he said, “that cleaning it up and making it livable was a priority.
“What fencing there was had collapsed and was low, so things were being thrown there from those leaving the big Tesco.
“When we cleaned them up, we found a stolen backpack and a stolen wallet and handed them over to the police.
“I knew that said condition meant getting permission for any changes to the property, so we left through the original side gate. I didn’t know it was about the fence.’
When an unidentified complainant alerted Council planners, Mr Hubbard applied for retrospective planning permission. This was refused and the appeal dismissed.
In their justification, planners said the fence was “too tall and bulky” and “out of character” for the street scene.
Julie Woodhouse, 57, who manages a block of flats at the other end of the Avenue, said: “I don’t know what street scene they were looking at. They allowed Tesco a big blue sign overlooking their garden and did nothing when it was an eyesore.
“It was so unkempt, I never knew they had a driveway. This couple did a fabulous job.
“The council needs to catch up. The road to the Home has such bad potholes that it is not safe for our elderly residents to walk up and down.
“And because they failed to put up double yellow lines, sometimes it’s impossible for emergency vehicles to get through and get to us. All their priorities are wrong.”
Many residents pointed out that last year the Council gave permission for a large bar and restaurant to open at the top of the Avenue, which has only six parking spaces.
As there is also a gym nearby, the road is very busy and only a small part has double yellow lines.
Many residents pointed out that last year the Council gave permission for a large bar and restaurant to open at the top of the Avenue, which has only six parking spaces.
Historic photograph of the garden of the cottage, which was completely covered by trees before the current owner moved in
A pothole in the footpath opposite the cottage, which residents say the council should prioritize
Brian Bourne, 77, added: “I’ve been here 24 years and the trees in that garden have grown to 30ft. At one stage it was covered with ivy. He made the place 100 percent better.
“It used to be tipped because the fence was so low you could tip anything over and the Council didn’t do anything about it.
“Now he comes, builds a decent fence and they want to tear it down. It’s crazy. They put boxes in the windows and the Council told him he had to take them down too.’
The 70-year-old, who tends the flower pots around the small residents’ car park, said: “They’ve made the garden beautiful and the fence can’t be any lower because the land is on a slope and they wouldn’t have privacy from those leaving Tesco.”
Visitor Chris Orme added: “It’s just ridiculous. There are some disgraceful gardens in Derby and they choose a smart fence?’
And Lynn Clough, 58, said: ‘We have a big hole in our pavement which is a personal injury claim waiting to happen. Two weeks ago they came out and ‘sorted it out’ and the hole is back.”
Property owner Mr Hubbard has been negotiating with the Council on what should happen next and said he was very close to an agreement.
“We will need to make some adjustments to the fencing at the front of the property but not the fencing at the back next to Tesco.
“They say the property needs to be seen more clearly from the street, so they want to remove some of the panels at the front.
“The council have also said they will be putting in double yellow lines as there are times when it is not possible for us to exit because of parked cars and the angle required to turn.
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 solid fencing along part of the front boundary detracts from 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 agreement with the landowner, but we have powers to take formal enforcement action if a voluntary solution is not reached. No fines were issued.”