A homeowner living in a rural neighbourhood surrounded by picket fences is battling the council after they told him his fence was too tall.

Breckland Council blocked a retrospective planning application for the 5.7ft high wooden border that was put up at the front of a house in Weeting in south west Norfolk. 

Barry Joseph, who owns the bungalow in St Edmund Road, said he put the fence up to replace a row of 6ft conifers that once provided him privacy.

Eastern Daily Press: The picket-fenced St Edmund Street in WeetingThe picket-fenced St Edmund Street in Weeting (Image: Google)

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But a burst water pipe underneath forced Anglian Water to chop them down.

He said he had checked with his neighbours who didn't have a problem with his fence and Weeting Parish Council has also chosen not to object.

However, Breckland Council has said it was out of character and spoiled the street scene, with most of the other houses on the street having low-picket fences.

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Eastern Daily Press: Breckland Council officesBreckland Council offices (Image: Archant © 2013)

It also broke planning regulations, which states fencing should only be 3.2ft at the front of a property.

The row continues and will be decided by the Planning Inspectorate following the outcome of the appeal.