A couple in Hallow, Worcestershire, have been left frustrated after council officials demanded they tear down their new garden fence because it’s 78cm too tall. Ian and Bethany Buswell put up the fence, which measures 1.78m in height, to ensure the safety of their six-year-old autistic son, Louis, who has a tendency to run towards the busy road.
Just a few months after replacing a towering hedge as requested by the council, they installed this new fence to provide security and peace of mind. The couple were taken aback when they received a letter in September requiring them to submit a planning application for the fence due to a single complaint. Their planning application and subsequent appeals were rejected by Malvern Hills District Council who said the fence’s height and design don’t align with the village’s “character.”
Bethany shared their plight, explaining that the fence was designed without easy-to-climb horizontal slats to prevent Louis from escaping into danger. “Our son has managed to get onto the road twice in 18 months. Thankfully, cars stopped in time. We just want him to play outside safely,” Bethany said.
After already spending £3,000 on replacing the old hedge with the new fence, the Buswells say they can’t understand the council’s issue, especially since similar fences exist in the village. Ian expressed his dissatisfaction, stating, “It’s cost us a lot to put this up and it makes the pathway safer for everyone, including schoolchildren.”
The council cited concerns about the property’s “village-like character”, but many in the village have shown support for the Buswells, appreciating the enhanced safety the fence provides. The couple remains determined, stating that if they can’t secure their property, living there becomes challenging. Ian felt that “one complaint has caused this mess,” and hopes for a resolution that allows their family to stay safe and worry-free.