Retired couple ordered to remove £4,500 fence built for 'privacy and security'David and Denise Hopwood retrospective planning application was refused and appeal dismissed by councilView 2 Images David Hopwood standing by his fenceA retired couple have been instructed to dismantle a £4,500 seven-foot-high fence they erected to prevent neighbours snooping into their garden. ‌David and Denise Hopwood installed the 25-metre-long, grey composite barrier around their property for privacy and ease of upkeep. ‌However, following a complaint from a neighbour about its height, David, 67, and Denise, 66, were compelled to seek retrospective planning permission. We put it up for privacy and security, as well as it is ideal for maintenance purposes. The report said they considered the personal circumstances of the appellant - including privacy and security - but there was little evidence to claim that the 'height and materiality of the fence is necessary to achieve the security and privacy'.

Source: Daily Mirror March 16, 2026 15:28 UTC