Spencer and Victoria Adams, of 49 Parklands Avenue, have been given two months to reduce by half the height of the 6ft 6in brick-and-fence construction facing Goring Road.

The enforcement notice applies also to the first section of each of the two wall and fence panels running south from the Goring Road frontage.

No application for planning permission was submitted to the council before work started on the wall.

It was part of a £25,000 landscaping package for the corner-plot property, which is being extensively refurbished.

Alien and intrusive

The recommendation for enforcement action approved at the council's development control committee meeting described the wall and fence design as "an alien and visually intrusive form of development into the street scene".

But Mr and Mrs Adams denied their new wall looked alien, and they are appealing against the committee's decision.

Mr Adams, a 31-year-old graphic designer, told the Herald: "The term 'alien' is just one person's opinion.

"We would not have done it if we thought it would look alien, and we have had no other comment of that notion.

"Since we started and finished the work, we have had nothing but people stopping to say what a positive contribution it makes to the street scene in this lovely area.

"We wanted to make this construction part of the area."

Common sense

Mrs Adams said: "There used to be a hedge along the slip road, but workmen took it down and opened up the view of the house.

"Rules and regulations seem to be coming in over common sense. We have spent so much money on this that we are definitely going to appeal."

Mr Adams said: "This is no different to hundreds of other properties in this vicinity, but because we are in a noticeable position, we feel victimised."

Asked about planning permission, Mr Adams said he had understood it was not needed.

"Our intention was to provide to a good, secure, attractive family home for ourselves and our two boys, which we can enjoy, and also by our neighbours," he said.

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