Wall must go for hybrid car

A MAN wants to knock down the wall in front of his house so he can park a hybrid car.

John Porter, of St Marks Road, Henley, applied for permission to knock down the boundary wall in August but this was refused by South Oxfordshire District Council, the planning authority, because the house is in a conservation area.

Now he has won the support of town councillors, who were previously opposed, on the condition that he obtains a grant from the low emission vehicles office to install the charging point.

Speaking at a meeting of the town council’s planning committee, Mr Porter said he didn’t think removing the wall and half of his front garden to create a parking space would detract from the conservation area.

“I need a charging point for a hybrid car but I can’t buy one before I get planning permission. I see this as a significant way I can contribute to reducing air pollution in the town and I would like the town council to be supportive.”

Mr Porter said his house was the only one in a row of six with a wall, which made it look “odd”.

He had previously paid to have the kerb outside his house lowered.