A retired couple have said it "beggars belief" that they cannot keep a six foot fence built to replace a 20 foot hedge after it was rejected by the council for causing a "dangerous precedent".
Ronald and Jennifer Anderson removed the hedge after it had become so tall it towered over the street lamppost and "blocked out the sun", and replaced it with a fence to ensure the garden remained safe for their dog.
But East Lothian Council planning officers told them they needed to apply for planning permission for the new fence - and when they did rejected the application.
Adding it would set a 'dangerous precedent' for front gardens in the area.
Now the couple are appealing the decision to the council's Local Review Body after pointing out they have planted climbers in front of the fence which will cover it in a short space of time.
They criticised the attitude of the planning officer who visited their home, when only Mrs Anderson was there, to take pictures of their fence, reported EdinburghLive.
In his appeal to the review body, which will hear the case later this month, Mr Anderson said the young council worker turned up unannounced, wearing a baseball cap and leaning over the garden wall with a camera and no ID.
He said: "It was pointed out to him that this is also a means used by people to steal dogs and break into houses. By putting my wife in a state of fear and alarm this constitutes a breach of the peace."
Speaking at his home in the village of Pencaitland, Mr Anderson said the behaviour of the council officer and their decision to refuse planning permission "beggared belief".
He said: "The fence was put up in 2020 and cost around £1,500 but it replaced a 20 foot high hedge which blocked my neighbour's sunlight.
"The main part of our garden is to the side of the house and we need a secure boundary for our dog Barclay so he can enjoy the outside safely.
"The council had no contact with us apart from turning up unannounced and taking pictures in a very inappropriate way. When the officer involved was confronted about the way he acted he said he did not have time to call or email us in advance and we 'should have expected a visit'.
"The whole thing has been ridiculous and frustrating. The hedge was allowed under planning policy but the replacement fence is not? It beggars belief."
Mr Anderson said the couple set the fence back by a foot from the front garden wall and planted laurel and climbing plants between the two so the fence will not be visible from the road once they have grown.
However planners ruled the fence was 'not appropriate; for its setting and out of character with the 'largely low front roadside boundary enclosures'. They added it would set a 'dangerous precedent' for front gardens in the area.
The Local Review Body will hold a virtual hearing of the appeal on Thursday, July 20.
