A couple who installed a fence around their house in place of a hedge have been ordered by the local council to remove it because it is too tall.

The couple had bought the house in April 2024 and moved in four months later. While the house was being renovated prior to their moving in, the local parish council had asked them to trim the hedge, which was nearly 5 metres tall, as it was encroaching onto the pavement.

They decided to replace the hedge with a garden fence. After initially being told by the parish council that they would need planning permission, they brought the fence back by 1.5 metres, which they were told would be acceptable.

However, they later received a letter informing them that they needed to apply for planning permission for the fence. Planning permission was rejected and two appeals by the couple against that decision were refused. The council claimed that the fence, at 1.78 metres in height, was 78 cm too high, and that it would impact the 'village-like' character of the area.