PLANS for new fencing around Whitehall in School Lane have been rejected by Cheshire West and Chester Council despite 120 residents and visitors petitioning for the proposal to be approved.

The proposal was to rebuild a fence around the property that the current owners had built when they first moved to the location.

The applicant had a retrospective planning application rejected and then submitted another application trying to get permission to build a fence around the property.

The plans have been rejected due to concerns over the impact of the proposal on highway safety and a grade two listed building.

The notice of decision states: “The proposed fence would, by virtue of its scale, siting and appearance, fail to preserve the setting of the listed buildings at Whitehall.

“The harm to the significance of the heritage assets is not considered to be outweighed by the public benefits of the proposal.

“The proposed development would fail to respect the character of the locality or create a sense of place and fail to respect the surrounding context of the existing built environment.”

The proposal was taken to the planning committee meeting on Tuesday, September 4.

Amanda Law-Lyons, the applicant, said: “A petition for the reinstatement of a wooden fence was signed by 120 Hartford residents and visitors who agree that we need our privacy.”

Cllr Patricia Parks was also in favour of the application.

She said: “Having lived in Hartford my whole life, it’s lovely to see the building being taken over by a family after the state it was left in by Vale Royal Council.

“Policy ENV6 says that development should promote safe secure environments.

“The installation of a new fence will ensure this happens, giving the family he security, privacy and safety that is not being met by the mesh fence in situ.

“I would urge the committee to consider the needs of the family.”

The plans were officially rejected on Friday, September 7.