I live in a house with a corner plot which one side faces the road and a side where there is a driveway to a communal car park for residents. Two years ago I had a fence put up and was told by the landscaper (who happens to be a relation) that as long as the fence is not over 2 metres high and as it's on my property it's fine.
However I have just received a letter from the Council that it's not fine and it should be no more than 1 metre high and because the street view has low walls I have to reduce the height or reposition the fence no less than 1 metre into my garden. To say I'm gutted is an understatement. Firstly believing the landscaper and secondly with a 1 metre fence I won't be able to eat out in my garden, sunbath, hang my knickers out to dry, my greenhouse will be at risk from any vandal with a brick, every time I wash dishes in the kitchen or make a cup of tea people passing can see right in and veg I grow could get stolen.
At expense and losing a metre of garden I would have to have privacy screening installed.
What would you do? Should I challenge the council, apply for retrospective planning and if turned down appeal given the lack of privacy and security considering it's my back garden and there is no longer enjoyment in having a garden or would you think it's not worth the hassle and just do what they want. They did give me 3 weeks to rectify it but I told them that's not feasible.