A councillor slammed the unauthorised fence, calling it an ‘abomination’
15:46, 13 Feb 2026Updated 15:49, 13 Feb 2026
This large timber fence was criticised by a councillor at a meeting which approved a plan to build a two-bedroom home on the patch of grass behind(Image: Local Democracy Reporting Service)
A fence next to a house where there are plans to construct a new home in the garden has been labelled an “abomination”. Councillors were asked to give the green light to an outline planning application for a two-bedroom house on the small plot of land behind the corner terrace house.
During the discussion one councillor voiced her belief that neighbours must be “put out” by the fence which doesn’t have planning permission. Conservative councillor Jan Butler expressed her relief that the application includes a new fence.
She said: “I’m very glad the close boarded fence is being considered. That is an abomination frankly. I think the neighbours must be quite put out by that.”
She noted that other fences along Woodland View and Grenville Terrace in Rogiet, Monmouthshire, are “very low at the front”, but described the fence as “pretty appalling”.
Monmouthshire council planning officer Phil Thomas confirmed that the fence does not have planning permission. However, a condition will mandate its height reduction before work commences, he said.
He explained that any fence exceeding one metre in height at this location requires planning permission and the council can enforce this if necessary.
Mr Thomas also said that the application includes provisions for two off-street parking spaces for the existing home at Woodland View. These spaces would need to be established before construction work begins, he said.
The grassy plot measuring 17 metres in length and 7.4m in width, where the new dwelling is set to be erected, will also accommodate two parking spaces and a small garden area.
Mr Thomas said that the plans must be evaluated in light of the council’s supplementary planning guidance on “infill development”, issued in 2019.
Given that the application is for outline permission all specifics will be deliberated at a later stage as part of a reserved matters application.
However, Mr Thomas indicated that the maximum dimensions for the house would be 8.4m from back to front, 5.6m wide and 7.3m high, which he stated is in line with other roof heights in the area.
Rogiet Community Council and local residents had raised objections due to potential traffic and parking issues. However, Mr Thomas noted that there were no objections from the highways department and a construction traffic management plan would be obligatory.
He suggested that by providing two new off-street parking spaces for 1 Woodland View, the application would “benefit highway manoeuvres and parking stress”.
Independent councillor Meirion Howells asked whether the new property would bear a Woodland View address or Grenville Terrace, which is where the access for the parking spaces would be located. Mr Thomas responded that this would be determined by the street naming and numbering team.
The application received approval with 10 councillors voting in favour. Dewstow councillor Tony Easson abstained, stating that he was acquainted with one of the neighbours.
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