Homeowners bid for a 2m high fence gets 'blown down', after Councillors reject the plans....

Council Planning Officials this week recommended the retrospective plans for the 2m high fence be refused when they went before councillors at a planning meeting.

21st August 2025

A homeowner has lost their bid to have a two metre high fence formally approved by the local borough council, after planning officials recommended they be refused when the plans were put before the councils Planning Committee.

The owners of the property in Farr Walk Hartlepool sought permission from Hartlepool Borough Council for the retrospective construction of a 2m High fence around the property which had already been constructed prior to the plans going before the committee.

The plans which received 16 objections from the local community all cited the same reasons as to why the plans should not be approved, in that the height of the fence was simply 'too high'.

A physical deterrent needed !

In a planning statement in support of the application, DNS Design acting on behalf of the applicants stated that between October 2022 & February 2024 there had been multiple incidents of trespass, loitering, property damage, and intimidation recorded at or near the location, with a number of Cleveland Police crime reference numbers provided in support. The applicants agent then went on to state that these events demonstrated a persistent pattern of anti-social behaviour and highlighted the need for a physical deterrent to enhance security and peace of mind for residents.

Whilst acknowledging the fence exceeded the permitted development height & being adjacent to a highway, the applicants agent claimed this is justified by the frequency and nature of localised security incidents.

However, councillors sitting at this weeks planning committee meeting weren't convinced & refused the application outright, leaving only the governments planning inspectorate as the applicants next route of appeal, however its understood that now the application has been refused, should no appeal be forthcoming, enforcement action for the fence to be reduced in height by the local council may be taken.