A 75-year-old woman claims her neighbour's new fence has blocked out her view of the street and says she now has to walk out onto the driveway to see anything except the tops of houses. Sheila Parkinson, of Grove Crescent, Grimsby, claims she would have gone 'mad', if it not been for the support of her friends and daughter, and says the constant sight of the 6ft fence is 'depressing' her.
As previously reported by Grimsby Live, Sheila says she's been on to the local council 'day and night' trying to get the issue resolved but has been left disappointed after nobody came out to help her.
Speaking with the publication, Sheila explained the fence was put up back in October, at around the same time the days began getting shorter and darker.
Sheila said: "If I didn't have friends and my daughter supporting me I think I would've gone mad. You would've gone mad in this house, and with it getting colder now you can't go out as much.
"When you sit down on the sofa and you look out the window, you can't see anything. I'm 75 and I'm on my own a lot of the time and it's horrible."
She added: "I'm having to keep the light on a lot of the time and I don't like it because it's using my electricity and it will cost me.
"I usually go out because I think, 'I can't sit here all day'. I usually go for a walk or to town or something like that because otherwise, I'd go mad. I don't mind there being a big fence, but just not right in front of my window."
According to Sheila, she has now contacted North East Lincolnshire Council three times about the fence. She claims she was told each time that someone would come over to speak with her, however, she's yet to receive a visit.
A spokesperson for North East Lincolnshire Council's delivery partner EQUANS stated that an initial planned visit had been delayed. 'due to circumstances beyond [their] control'.
The spokesperson added: “This issue was first reported to our planning team on October 24 this year and there have already been discussions between the reporter of the works and the enforcement officer. Unfortunately, due to circumstances that were beyond our control, an initial planned visit had to be delayed.
"However, that has now been resolved and the appropriate officer has made contact again and a replanned visit has been arranged.”
Under national planning permission guidelines, householders don't need to apply for planning permission for a fence that isn't any taller than two metres, unless it's next to a highway. Therefore, it's thought the fence doesn't break any of these guidelines.
Do you have a nightmare neighbour story to share? Email us at julia.banim@reachplc.com
