A woman with a menagerie of animals has lost her appeal against council officials after they ordered her to rip down a long fence she had put up for her security and safety.

Erin Whiley had put up the long fencing on her land on the edge of Chedgrave, near Loddon.

It led to South Norfolk Council ordering her to tear it down as the fence was too high and "inappropriate" to the surrounding rural setting

She appealed her case to the planning inspectorate against South Norfolk Council after her retrospective planning application to keep her fence surrounding the building was denied last October.

The fence was deemed “unacceptable” in terms of its position, height, and appearance, by the council.

Ms Whiley installed the timber hit and miss style of fencing on her land in 2022 after the previous chain link fencing was removed.

The timber hit and miss style fence replaced the old chain link fenceThe timber hit and miss style fence replaced the old chain link fence (Image: Newsquest)

READ MORE: Planning Inspectorate called in to rule on Norfolk fence row

She was then contacted by the council to apply for retrospective planning permission.

The application, submitted in 2023, also regarded a shed, greenhouses, and a field shelter.

In the appeal statement by Ms Whiley, she said: “I am in need of this fence for security, safety and privacy.”

She said she had encountered various problems before the fence was put up which included “dogs off lead jumping into the property to chase the ponies”.

A 2-week-old Shetland pony next to its mother at the propertyA 2-week-old Shetland pony next to its mother at the property (Image: Submitted)

READ MORE: Villagers in Worlingham ordered to tear down tall fences

“People think it looks smarter than before. Obviously, they are not the experts, but they are people who see the property regularly and live in the village,” she added.

Planning Inspector Terrence Kemmann-Lane said in the appeal decision that "the fence in its present form is unacceptable because of the harm it brings to the character and appearance of the area.”

Ms Whiley had inherited the property and land from her father in 2020, having grown up there after her parents bought it in the 1970s.