Woman is ordered to tear down 6ft-high fence she built around her home in breach of planning laws in bid to stop kids littering in her garden and peering into her house

• Fife Council ruled the fence breached planning laws and ordered it be removed 

A woman has been ordered to tear down the 6ft-high privacy fence she built around her after the local council ruled it breached planning laws.

Ainslie Gunn claims she put up the 100ft wooden fence around her Buckhaven, Fife home in a bid to stop bus passengers and school children looking into her garden and kitchen. 

She alleged that those waiting at the bus stop outside her property had a clear view of her home. She also claimed the fence stopped litter from being thrown into her garden.

But Fife Council ruled she had breached planning laws and ordered her to take it down, claiming the fence had caused ‘significant harm to the amenity’ of the area surrounding her home.

Ms Gunn appealed the ruling to the Scottish Government, but the council decision has now been upheld.

Ainslie Gunn claims she put up the 100ft wooden fence around her Buckhaven, Fife home (pictured) in a bid to stop bus passengers and school children looking into her garden and kitchen. She also claimed the fence stopped litter from being thrown into her garden

But Fife Council ruled she had breached planning laws and ordered her to take it down, claiming the fence had caused ‘significant harm to the amenity’ of the area surrounding her home. Ms Gunn appealed the ruling to the Scottish Government but the council decision has now been upheld

In a letter Ms Gunn argued that reducing the size of the fence would offer anyone walking by or standing near the bus stop a ‘clear view into my kitchen and back door’ which she claims was ‘detrimental to my privacy’.

She wrote: ‘The local high school is very close to my property with over 200 pupils each day walking past which causes issues with noise, littering and items such as vapes, glass bottles and food being thrown into my garden.’

‘I have planned to reduce the height of the fence at the front of the property to tie in with the next-door neighbour’s fence, around the southwest of the property I kept the fence the same height as the previous fence.’

Ms Gunn added: ‘Before renewing the fence, the health and safety of my pets was placed at risk due to the level of food and other items thrown into my garden by members of the public.’

Government reporter Andrew Sikes reiterated how Ms Gunn claimed the ‘removal’ or ‘any reduction in its height’ would offer a ‘clear view’ into the home. 

He also noted that the homeowner claimed the layout of the property is such that its front and side gardens are visible from the street, meaning that ‘without the fence there would be no privacy,’

‘The council, on the other hand, considers that there is no alternative other than to remove the fence if the breach of planning control and injury to amenity is to be remedied,’ Mr Sikes said.

He added: ‘I agree with the council that the fence, has caused significant harm to the amenity of the area.’

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