Locals rage at council for 8ft fence ‘monstrosity’ making them really feel ‘imprisoned’

Hull residents are incensed with their native council for placing up a 2.4 metre fence that, they argue, dwarfs their gardens and leaves them feeling “imprisoned”.

East Riding of Yorkshire Council erected the fence as much as the border of St Anne’s School enjoying fields in Hessle, Hull. It mentioned its intention was to make sure the safety of pupils, a lot of whom have extreme studying difficulties.

However, locals whose gardens again onto the enjoying fields are vexed on the fence’s peak and declare that they had been by no means consulted over its instalment.

The council has since filed a retrospective planning utility for the fence, which was taken down in the course of the May half time period pending the planning go-ahead.

The utility is ready to be deliberated on by the planning committee in August or September and if it passes the fence shall be erected because it was beforehand.

One resident, aggrieved by the plan, one resident remarked: “I have two main objections to the fence. Firstly, the fence has a significant impact on the amenity of my property. 

“The fence makes my garden look and feel imprisoned by an unsightly fence. My five-year-old child asked ‘Do we live in a prison now?’ and once the new fence had been taken down, my eight-year-old child said, ‘Yay, we’re not in prison anymore’.”

The upset native added: “Secondly, the lack of space to maintain the area between the new fence and the existing boundary fence has already created significant health and safety concerns. 

“A vast amount of litter has collected in the space and due to lack of maintenance in this area, there have been rats seen along boundary fences and in my garden on numerous occasions”.

Another resident branded the fence a “monstrosity” and mentioned it was solely two metres from their house, that means it was exceptionally difficult to maintain the grass tidy and the weeds minimize.

HullReside has reported that locals are calling for the fence to be lowered to 6 ft and for it to be set again, enabling the world round it to be maintained.

One resident recommended a compromise, saying: “Whilst understanding the need for St Anne’s School to have a secure perimeter, the erection of an eight-foot-high fence does appear to be excessive, especially having been erected immediately behind residents’ existing ones and without having received planning permission. 

“The residents whose gardens back onto the playing field are aware that they have no right of access onto the field.

“However, in the past, Hessle High School has allowed access, via their drive, for residents to maintain their fences and cut back overhanging shrubs and trees. 

“I would ask that the council reconsider the height and placement of the new fence, and thus continue the good relationship which has, up to now, been held between the residents, the school and the football club.”

The headteacher of St Anne’s, however, was not to be deterred by the protestations of local people, insisting the fence was necessary.

Miss Hendi Longman said: “I firmly believe that this height of fence, 2.4m, is completely necessary in order to safeguard our pupils.

“As a special school, we have pupils with severe, profound and multiple learning difficulties along with complex medical healthcare needs. When the new school was built, it was agreed with Hessle Rangers, that as part of their lease agreement, the school would have access to the sports hall and the playing fields during the school day for curriculum based activities, extra curricular activities and whole school events such as sports days.

“When the panels were removed, the only thing between the field and residents’ property are their fences and bushes, none of which are more than 2m.”

She added: “There was additionally a major hole that a few of our pupils would be capable to squeeze by and abscond out onto the adjoining fields.

“This left the school and residents completely open to people walking onto the sports fields and accessing our site, as well as presenting an extremely significant absconding risk for our pupils. 

“I cannot stress enough how unsafe this made the playing fields and as a result, I had to say that no pupils are able to access the fields at any time which will have a significant impact on their learning and curriculum offer.”

Lib Dem councillor in Hessle, David Nolan, sided with the residents: “The council erected an eight foot mesh fence on the backside of residents’ gardens that ‘makes them really feel they’re in Hull Prison’ with none session or the required planning permission. The mesh fence, which is above the peak of residents’ again backyard fences, clearly offers them a poor outlook.

“No provision has been made by the council to provide a gate to get access to mow and maintain the area. I’ve urged the council senior management to find a compromise solution of a six foot fence and step the fence back so the grass and litter can be dealt with.

“I perceive the peak of the fence is to fulfill the safety wants of close by St Anne’s Special School pupils. However, the varsity itself solely has a six foot perimeter fence round its college grounds.”