Fence order unfair as council not fixed my damp, says man

David Still, of Greystones Road, Whiston, has been ordered to remove the fence he had installed around a paved area in front of his bungalow – or the council will remove it themselves and send him the bill.

Mr Still said the fence was doing no harm — despite RMBC saying he had cordoned off a “communal area” — and not preventing public access as there is no pathway to the house next door.

And he pointed out that his calls for the council and its contractors to get a grip on damp running through the house — which he believes are caused by leaks from his wet room – had continually fallen on deaf ears.

“I’ve had them out four times but they’ve not sealed the wet room up to the right standard,” said Mr Still, who suffers from a condition similar to Crohn’s disease. The tenant, who insisted he had put up the fence for privacy and to ensure his grandchild could play safely, said he felt victimised, especially as RMBC had fenced off many front gardens further up Greystones Road at its own expense.

“Ninety per cent of this estate is fenced off,” he said.

Mr Still highlighted damp in his kitchen, bedroom and hallway caused by leaks from his wet room, which he said contractors had been out to perform repairs to on four occasions but not solved the issue, which he wants to be properly inspected by a housing officer.

He said there was a stark contrast between RMBC’s eagerness to penalise him over a fenced area he says is doing no harm and its failure and unwillingness to properly address the damp problem.

The tenant also pointed out RMBC had now indicated it would look kindly on planning permission for the planters installed by near-neighbour Ruth Antcliffe around her own patio.

Rotherham Council’s acting assistant director of housing, Paul Walsh, stuck to the council’s position on the fixed fence, but said RMBC might consider allowing similar “ground level” arrangements at Mr Still’s property.

“The council has advised Mr Still that fencing of the open plan area at this location is not allowed and has asked on a number of occasions that it be removed.

“A reasonable timescale has been set for Mr Still to do so.

“I am aware that a neighbouring property has installed non-fixed planters at ground level which Mr Still may wish to install at his property.

“The council’s repairs team visited Mr Still on November 29 to inspect a reported leak.

“We will be undertaking the work required to resolve the problem and will provide Mr Still with all necessary advice and assistance during completion of the work.”