Described on the planning application form as ‘Replace existing 4ft fence with 6ft closeboard wooden panel fence - see photo example in attached documents

Appeal Decision Site visit made on 14 March 2018 by Michael Evans BA MA MPhil DipTP MRTPI an Inspector appointed by the Secretary of State Decision date: 26th March 2018 Appeal Ref: APP/C3810/D/17/3189510 8 Canal Road, Yapton BN18 0HA  The appeal is made under section 78 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 against a refusal to grant planning permission.  The appeal is made by Miss Natasha Lucking against the decision of Arun District Council.  The application Ref Y/48/17/HH was refused by notice dated 25 August 2017.  The development proposed is described on the planning application form as ‘Replace existing 4ft fence with 6ft closeboard wooden panel fence - see photo example in attached documents’. Decision 1. The appeal is allowed and planning permission is granted to replace existing 4ft fence with 6ft closeboard wooden panel fence, at 8 Canal Road, Yapton BN18 0HA, in accordance with the terms of the application, Ref Y/48/17/HH, subject to the following conditions: 1) The development hereby permitted shall begin not later than three years from the date of this decision. 2) The development hereby permitted shall be carried out in accordance with the drawings submitted with the application. Preliminary matter 2. In the decision above I have amended the description of the proposal given on the application form. I have done this by removing the reference to a photograph as this is not a description of development. Main issue 3. The main issue in this appeal is the effect on the streetscene and the character and appearance of the locality. Reasons 4. The appeal concerns a dwelling located towards the corner of Canal Road and Tack Lee Road. The Council suggests that boundary treatments in the area are predominantly hedges and low fences. Nevertheless, I saw at my site visit that there is a particularly long boundary wall of a fairly similar height to the proposed fence opposite the appeal site on the other side of Canal Road. I also saw a significant number of fences of a fairly comparable height facing onto Canal Road and the immediately adjoining streets. The proposed fence would reflect these features. Appeal Decision APP/C3810/D/17/3189510 2 5. There is an existing relatively low fence along most of the frontage of 8 Canal Road that would be replaced and has a taller hedge behind it. The height of the new fence would be similar to that of the hedge with the degree of enclosure from the street therefore not changing significantly. The fence would enclose an area of side garden from the street and not extend across the front of the dwelling. It would be immediately adjacent to a footway with a fairly wide area of grass verge between this pavement and the road. As a result, the fence would have a fairly spacious and verdant setting with the vegetation serving to soften its presence. 6. In these circumstances the new fence would not appear unduly dominant. It is therefore concluded that the proposal would not harm the streetscene or the character and appearance of the locality. There would be compliance with the intention of Arun District Local Plan 2003, Policy GEN7, that development should respect and enhance local distinctiveness. 7. Taking account of all other matters raised, there is no reason to reject the proposal given the absence of harm and the appeal succeeds. A condition requiring development to be carried out in accordance with the approved plans is necessary to provide certainty. M Evans INSPECTOR