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Michael Clare, founder of the Bed emporium ‘Dreams’, and his wife Carol must remove a high, galvanised-steel ‘gate’ which they erected without planning permission on their £22-million estate, Turville Court. They then sought retrospective consent from Wycombe District Council, which has been refused. The matter is now in the hands of the council’s enforcement officer.
The offending 'gate'
The objectors included the Chilterns Conservation Board, the Ramblers, the Chiltern Society and Turville Parish Council) and the society. We are delighted at the outcome.
Says our general secretary, Kate Ashbrook: ‘This site is in the heart of the Chilterns Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty [AONB]. The Clares falsely claimed that it was a “field gate” but it’s nothing of the kind. It’s a dark green, metal wall on top of the hill, which is a hideous intrusion and blocks the view from the adjacent bridleway.’
Wycombe Council has thrown out the application on the grounds that ‘the gates appear unattractive, out of keeping and visually detrimental to this rural location, causing adverse visual harm to the rural character and appearance of the surrounding open countryside and to the special landscape qualities of the surrounding Chilterns AONB. The structure is clearly visible from the adjacent bridleway and impacts adversely upon previously available views from the bridleway to the detriment of the users’ public enjoyment of this attractive part of the Chilterns AONB.’
Kate continues: ‘The so-called “gate” is therefore unlawful, planning permission having been refused, and it should be removed forthwith. We have written to the council to find out when this will be.’