Removed wall, West End March

COUNCILLORS have decided to take action against the owner of a 10-metre historical wall that was demolished in March’s Conservation Area without permission.

Removed wall, West End March

The wall - on land at 62A West End - was taken down last summer, so garden land could accommodate building materials when the owner built a two story side extension.

A new wall has been built five metres back from the original boundary line, and that has been described by planning officers as introducing a “stark visually intrusive element” in the street scene.

A report put before Fenland District Council’s planning committee said: “The original boundary wall represents an attractive, historical feature worthy of preservation.”

Asking the councillors to agree to a conservation area enforcement notice being served, officers said: “This new addition to the historic environment fails to complement or integrate with the established vernacular, characteristic of the conservation area.”

Removed wall, West End March

Officers said that although the landowner had shown willingness to comply, “it is felt that the wall is of such historical importance that it should be afforded the added protection of a formal notice.”

Members agreed to issue the notice, that will stipulate exactly how the wall should be reinstated. Failure to comply to the enforcement notice could lead to prosecution.