Appeal 3314418

The appeal is dismissed.

The fence has been erected and therefore this proposal is retrospective.

The main issue is the effect of the development on the character and appearance of the area.

The detached properties to the north of [address] are set back, and the area has a relatively open and spacious appearance. The materials and form of the front boundaries vary, but generally, they comprise low-level walls/fences or are fully open allowing direct access for parking.

The appeal site is a short distance from [name] and Forest Park Primary School. The wide verge in front of the property includes a combined pedestrian and cycle path and a pedestrian crossing is located to the east. The close-boarded fence, as erected, is sited along the back edge of the pavement with a gap providing driveway access. Behind the fence is a row of very tall conifer trees with the rest of the frontage used for parking.

I acknowledge that there are some other boundary fences and entrance pillars along [address] which extend above 1m in height. However, within the immediate vicinity, none are of the height of the appeal fence which is significantly taller than the boundary treatments it adjoins.

The substantial conifer trees currently dominate the site and screen the property. Nonetheless, these are not necessarily permanent, and the fence creates a notable barrier, out of keeping with the prevailing form which if repeated along the road would substantially alter the character of the area.

Undoubtedly due to the proximity to the schools, and as explained by the appellant, the area outside the property will be particularly busy at certain times of the day. The appellant also explains that the replacement fence with an increased height followed the cutting back of the conifers, as requested by the highway authority to aid visibility, and that there have been incidents of anti-social behaviour in the area. [name] appreciate that the fence would provide an increased level of security and privacy to the front of the property, none of these considerations nor any other personal circumstances outweigh the adverse harm I have found to the character and appearance of the area.

Consequently, for the reasons given above, the scheme is unsympathetic and creates a visually intrusive feature in the street scene. It thereby fails to respect the character and appearance of the area, contrary to Policy ENV3 of the Local Plan Part 1: Planning Strategy for the New Forest outside of the New Forest National Park which promotes high quality design that contributes positively to local distinctiveness.

The introduction of the cycle path and the consultation process is a separate matter outside the scope of this appeal. The Council did not refuse the proposal on highway safety grounds and as I have found against the proposal on the main issue this is not a determinative matter.

For the reasons set out the appeal is dismissed.