Planning Inspectorate called in to rule on Norfolk fence row

Erin Whiley installed the structures on her land on the edge of Chedgrave, near Loddon, but was contacted by South Norfolk Council who told her she needed planning permission.

She applied for it but was rejected, with officials telling her the fence was too high and "inappropriate" to the surrounding rural setting.

They also disapproved of the shed she had built for her goats and a greenhouse for growing vegetables, which they said were also "detrimental" to the character of the landscape.

The fence has been described as inappropriate (Image: Submitted)

A two-week-year-old Shetland Pony (right) with his mother (Image: Submitted)

However, Ms Whiley has taken her case to the Planning Inspectorate, the government body which rules on such disputes, in an effort to overturn the council's decision.

She claims the structures and fences are needed to protect her privacy and the security and safety of the animals.

READ MORE: Villagers ordered to tear down fences as they are 'too tall'

In documents to support her case, she said there have been several break-ins at her property and that "sadly the taking of animals is a fact of life".

There are more than ten Shetland Ponies and one horse living on the property (Image: Submitted)

READ MORE: Planning war over extension heats up as owner appeals 'nonsense' reasons for snub

The documents also describe her menagerie of animals, which includes a dozen Shetland ponies.

To support her case, she also cites a similar case in Worlingham where a homeowner successfully appealed against an enforcement notice against a timber garden fence, arguing that privacy and security outweighed the "impact of the fence on the character of the location".

Ms Whiley inherited the property and land from her father in 2020, having lived there for much of her life after her parents bought it in the 1970s.

More than 10 Shetland ponies live on the property and are protected by the fence (Image: Submitted)A retrospective planning application for the fence was rejected (Image: Submitted)