High fence is such a blot on the landscape

FURTHER to the item in the Cambs Times regarding planning officers from Fenland District Council visiting a site to investigate a planning application, it is a great pity they didn t do the same regarding a planning application by a resident in Coates to

FURTHER to the item in the Cambs Times regarding planning officers from Fenland District Council visiting a site to investigate a planning application, it is a great pity they didn't do the same regarding a planning application by a resident in Coates to erect a 10ft high wooden fence adjacent to a public footpath alongside a layby on the main road.

The fence has been erected on what is locally regarded as common land, and with a storm drain running along its length.

Apart from its great height, and that it is commonly regarded as a blot on the landscape, spoiling our hitherto quite pleasant village, concerns have also been expressed regarding the filling in of the storm drain.

In the past, possibly before the party concerned came to live in Coates, water has backed up along this drain causing some flooding in neighbouring properties.

With floods becoming more and more likely and this storm drain blocked off, where does the water then run to? I have travelled along this layby several times and can see no sign of drain pipes having been laid to allow the water to run freely through the drain, although the remaining bushes are rather overgrown making it difficult to get close to the site.

I fail to understand the need for such a high fence as it is at the side of the property which is not overlooked by anyone - unless of course they are walking along the footpath on stilts.

MRS C CARTER

Grounds Way

Coates