Homeowner Loses Fence Battle in Haddington

0:00A homeowner, in Haddington, East Lothian, just lost her appeal to keep a new garden fence up. Jillian Anderson built a six foot wooden one around a narrow grass strip next to her house on a new build estate. She moved it forward about one meter to make the space usable, but Planner said it breaks the local open front garden policy by sticking out past the house line. The council first denied permission because the fence and its side gate don't match the estate's low stone walls. Anderson argued it boosts her family's privacy and safety right off the patio doors, turning wasted land into real living space. But officials worried it'd encourage others to do the same, messing up the whole streets look. Counselors on the local review body called the fence tasteful overall. One member, Donna Collins, had sympathy. She said Anderson checked with the developer and factor who greenlit it without mentioning permits. Still, the chair noted other tall fences exist, but stayed behind the house fronts.

1:00By a three to one vote, they upheld the refusal, forest, McLeod, and McIntosh against Collins 4. Planner stressed it had set a harmful precedent, harming the neighborhood character bit-by-bit if copied. So now Anderson faces tearing it down to follow the rules. This case shows how strict estate designs can clash with everyday fixes homeowners want. Head in for our news today, powered by AI bringing you what matters.