Soapbox

I did have a look at 'The Room' but I thought I'd try this.

This is my 'Saturday Soapbox Rant' from 29 March 2025.

Sidsmum, Millibob, Got a letter from the council when we got back from Cyprus on Wednesday. They are saying "it has been reported that we have chicken wire on our new fence." We have 14 days to put retrospective planning permission in or action will be taken against us. 

 Apparently the council have loads of complaints about our new fence. They've allegedly been out for a site visit and measured the fence. We didn't need planning permission to erect it (or get it put up, if you like). But they are now saying we need planning permission to attach wire to the bottom half of the fence.

Tracey explained that the wire netting is to protect the hedges and bushes as the lovely little darlings were just grabbing the hedges and bushes by the handful and ripping it out.

The fence is security fencing, 1.8m high in a beautiful silver colour, with lovely spikes on the top. The council agreed that we didn't need planning permission for the fence (as they had an 8ft hedge looming over at the time). They have now cut that to 6ft.

It's just because they don't like the style of fencing, neither do we, but it was the final straw to protect the property.

We eventually spoke to the guy from the council yesterday after 6 times ringing his direct line!!! Annoying!!! He told us he has a desk full of complaints about us. Isn't that nice! Tracey tried explaining the vendetta of hate we are experiencing! Why is it? We don't even talk to the neighbours, just want to be left alone in peace.

Will the council let us have sight of any of these alleged complaints? That's a big No No!! So how do we know there are even complaints in the first place??

When they must have been getting nowhere with the council they have been badgering the police with complaints...allegedly, of course!!

The council guy dealing with our case (from planning) is coming out to see us on Tuesday (1 April, no it's not an April fool).

I don't know if the council are obliged to let us see any complaints, you would think so wouldn't you.

Would a data protection order under the GDPR work? We tried one a few months ago to try to find out why the council cut our bushes down. The council agreed they had done it illegally but said a worker took it upon herself to use a chainsaw and cut our hedge down!! They wouldn't admit responsibility though!

One of our lovely neighbours said he was going to canvass the neighbours to get them all to put complaints in. Isn't that nice of him.

Just stepping down from my 'Saturday Soapbox'

The saga continues!!!