Hampshire Director Ordered to Demolish Pride-and-Joy Fence in Planning Dispute
A company director has been instructed to dismantle his two-foot-high fence, deemed illegally constructed, following a complaint from his next-door neighbour that escalated into a bitter planning confrontation.
Phil Edwicker, aged 50, has received an official order to knock down the knee-high metal wire fence at his Totton residence in Hampshire. The directive came after neighbour Tim Goodman highlighted that the structure technically encroaches upon public ground.
Fence Becomes Source of Pride and Conflict
The fence, which features LED lights and stainless steel wires, has evolved into a point of personal pride for Mr Edwicker. He is determined to preserve it, admitting he cleans it meticulously until it gleams "like you would a car."
Mr Goodman lodged a formal complaint labelling the fence "unlawful," despite Mr Edwicker having successfully secured permission for a home extension in 2023. This objection prompted Hampshire County Council to intervene, insisting the fence must be removed entirely.
Council officials assert that the fence intrudes into the public highway, a claim Mr Edwicker firmly contests. He maintains that the structure does not actually extend onto a public path, creating a stalemate over land boundaries.
Community Support and Personal Investment
In an effort to garner backing, Mr Edwicker has written to his local Member of Parliament and rallied community members to his cause, gradually persuading undecided residents.
He erected the fence during the pandemic as a replacement for an older version installed in 2002. While acknowledging he did not seek planning permission for the new structure, he notes that all other neighbours, including his immediate next-door neighbour, approved of its presence.
Mr Edwicker, who serves as managing director of a lift company, personally designed and constructed the fence during Covid-19 lockdowns. It has since become an object of deep attachment, with him describing the cleaning ritual as akin to maintaining a vehicle.
"It's of no risk to anyone," Mr Edwicker stated. "The only person it would affect would be my immediate neighbour, and she has no problem with it. As far as I'm concerned, I put the fence up on my land. It was only grass before I put this in."
Disputed Evidence and Compromise Attempts
Mr Edwicker argues that Hampshire Highways Authority has not substantiated their claim to the land, describing the situation as "just their word against mine." He further revealed that a planning officer from New Forest District Council inspected and tacitly approved the fence in 2023 while evaluating his extension application.
"I could understand if it was poking out into a path, but it is not even a throughway," he explained. "There's no cut through, but the council say it's because it's on a path."
The matter extends beyond principle for Mr Edwicker, who has developed an emotional connection to the fence into which he invested "a lot of effort and love" during the design process.
"I put a lot of passion and many hours into designing this fence," he shared. "I've spent so many hours and so much money making this, I wash it like you would a car."
As a conciliatory gesture, Mr Edwicker has temporarily removed three fence posts, effectively halving the structure's size. This compromise will necessitate additional expenditure to redesign and rewire the fence, a prospect he finds "soul-destroying after all the effort I've put into it."
Neighbour's Objection and Council's Stance
In his 2023 objection, Mr Goodman clarified that he did not oppose the building extension but specifically targeted the fence. "I do not object to the proposed building extension, but I do object to the currently unlawful fence," he wrote. "This must be removed."
Mr Goodman, displaying meticulous attention to detail, suggested an alternative: "The resident concerned would better serve himself if he reinstated the Highway verge back to public use, removed a small part of the lawn and slightly extended the block paving. He could then still lawfully utilise part of the fence to prevent vehicles damaging his lawn."
Mr Edwicker reported that several neighbours have expressed frustration with the council's decision on his behalf. Many endorsed his letter to Conservative MP Julian Lewis, representing New Forest East, voicing their support.
Hampshire County Council reinforced its position, stating it is obligated to ensure public highways remain safe and accessible. A spokesperson acknowledged the resident's predicament, saying: "This is a frustrating situation for residents, especially where work has involved time and expense."
The spokesperson elaborated: "Following an enquiry from a member of the public, we have contacted residents in Itchin Close after confirming that part of a fence has been built on land that forms part of the public highway. We have shared the information used to establish that boundary with the affected residents. Keeping the public highway unobstructed is important, as even small changes can affect access and safety for people using the verge or footway."
