RESIDENTS are protesting about a fence put up at a hospital without permission to protect the privacy of patients.
The 5ft 9in fence was erected at the edge of the Townlands Hospital site in Henley next to the roads in and out.
But householders in York Road and Clarence Road claim it is unsightly and too tall for the conservation area.
Their anger was made worse by planners who admitted that the fence was a “breach of planning control” but said they would not take action.
Marilyn Shah, of York Road, said: “The fence has been put up without going through planning procedures. We haven’t had the opportunity to raise objections, which we should be entitled to do.
“As individuals, we have to follow the planning process but this is a public body spending public money. It is a bit of an outrage.”
Elizabeth McAuslane, who has lived in York Road for 28 years, called the fence “remarkably ugly”.
“It looks like a pig pen,” she said. “I understand that patients want and need their privacy but the fence doesn’t have to be that high. It is obtrusive.” Christine Tait, of Clarence Road, said: “The fence is a waste of money. It has been imposed on us and that is wrong in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.”
A resident whose home is next door to the fence but didn’t want to be named said: “It is blocking my light. The council has promised me it will move the fence so it is away from my house.”
Jill Campbell, of York Road, complained to South Oxfordshire District Council and received a reply dubbed “insensitive” by town councillors.
Planning enquiry officer Tom Allington wrote that he had visited the site to make an “assessment” and added: “I have determined that there is a breach of planning control.”
However, he continued: “I consider the breach does not result in any undue planning harm to amenity or to the provisions of the development plan.As such, it is not expedient to take the matter further and I shall be recommending that this enforcement case is closed.”
Mr Allington’s letter was condemned by members of the Henley Town Council’s planning committtee, who called for the case to be reopened.
Deputy Mayor Jeni Wood said the tone of the letter was “absolutely disgusting”.
Councillor Simon Smith called it “appalling” and added: “To say the fence does not affect amenities is wrong because it does.”
At the suggestion of chairman Allan Follett, the committee agreed to write to Adrian Duffield, the district council’s head of planning, to express their unhappiness at the “insensitive” letter from Mr Allington and request the case be reopened.
A spokesman for NHS Oxfordshire said: “The fence has been erected at the request of the hospital for patient privacy and safety reasons.
“It is important to us that we act as a good neighbour and Geoff Rowbotham, managing director of community health for Oxfordshire, personally visited residents when he heard that they were unhappy. It was agreed that one section of the fence would be moved so it was out of view and we are currently looking into the cost of having the strip of land in front of the fence planted so that it is more hidden.
“Oxfordshire Primary Care Trust took independent professional advice before erecting the fence and was told that it would not require planning permission.”
A spokesman for the district council said: “We were not aware of the fence at Townlands until recently.
“Although planning consent is required for this fence, in considering whether to take enforcement action, we take into account the extent of planning harm and whether there is a breach of the local development plan.
“In this case, the planning officer, after inspecting the fence, decided that there was no undue harm and that it was not advisable to take enforcement action.
“His letter to the complainant explains this. We acknowledge the letter was to the point, although it is not discourteous.”
lWhat do you think? Write to: Letters, Henley Standard, Caxton House, 1 Station Road, Henley RG9 1AD, or email letters@henleystandard.co.uk
Published on 12 October 2009
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