The vista from Providence Cottages was once one of the finest in the Broads, showing rolling meadows down to a meandering river and the horizon beyond.

But all that changed after a bare wooden 6ft fence went up, completely blocking off any view of the landscape from the row of pretty homes in Shipmeadow, on the river Waveney.

Kevin Wilkinson, who rents one of the cottages, said the barrier was put up without warning by the owner of a neighbouring field, Alix Eva Roos, after the pair fell out in a petty dispute.

Eastern Daily Press: The view of the field looking over the fence, which looks across the Waveney Valley towards the River Waveney that meanders throughThe view of the field looking over the fence, which looks across the Waveney Valley towards the River Waveney that meanders through (Image: Owen Sennitt)

BAD BLOOD OVER WEEDS

He believes the bad blood may have started a year and a half ago when she became cross that he asked one of his neighbours to go on to her land to clear some weeds near his property.

The only other moment of conflict came when he complained about horses from the field sticking their heads over into his garden and eating his plants.

He suggested Ms Roos put up an electric fence, but she declined.

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Eastern Daily Press: Kevin Wilkinson outside his home in ShipmeadowKevin Wilkinson outside his home in Shipmeadow (Image: Owen Sennitt)

Ms Roos told Mr Wilkinson she had put up the fence to protect her privacy, which left him baffled as he claims he rarely sees her in the field, which is rented out to a tenant who keeps horses, sheep and goats there.

Mr Wilkinson's neighbours are also concerned about the sudden appearance of the fence, as is the landlord who owns them.

However, an appeal for help from the Broads Authority, which is responsible for planning decisions in Shipmeadow, between Beccles and Bungay, came to nothing.

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Eastern Daily Press: The view before the fence was put up (L) and Mr Wilkinson's view now (R)The view before the fence was put up (L) and Mr Wilkinson's view now (R) (Image: Kevin Wilkinson/Owen Sennitt)

NO RULES BROKEN

Officials visited the site but said there was nothing to do as Ms Roos was entitled to put up fencing on her land and the height of the boundary is within regulations.

The situation has exasperated Mr Wilkinson, who used to be able to enjoy the view from inside his cottage and said it was one of the key reasons he moved to the property.

He said the sight of the landscape from his kitchen - where he spends most of his time - gave him "solace" during a difficult period of his life after a debilitating health condition left him housebound.

Eastern Daily Press: The fence has blocked Mr Wilkinson's viewThe fence has blocked Mr Wilkinson's view (Image: Owen Sennitt)

The 62-year-old said: "It was an absolutely magnificent view, a beautiful vista.

"I loved watching the stunning creatures that visited the field and recently saw a buzzard up close catching its prey.

"But now my light is blocked and all I can see is the tops of the trees. It is hideous."

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Eastern Daily Press: The River Waveney at nearby Outney Common, BungayThe River Waveney at nearby Outney Common, Bungay (Image: Newsquest)

Ms Roos, who declined to comment, put up the fence last month.

VISTA DESTROYED

Mr Wilkinson said before he asked a neighbour to remove weeds from Ms Roos' land, he had not had any problems with her or the tenant since moving to Shipmeadow from Beccles three years ago.

"It makes no sense," said Mr Wilkinson, adding: "I have seen her maybe five times in the last three years but she worries about her privacy?

"She offered to buy me some plants as compensation but this would be no compromise.

"I feel like I have been incarcerated in a cell, it was my one solace."

Eastern Daily Press: The three cottages in Shipmeadow, which have now lost their countryside viewThe three cottages in Shipmeadow, which have now lost their countryside view (Image: Google)

Lauren Varty, who lives next door, only moved in a few months ago, choosing to live there as the view was a "key selling point".

The 27-year-old added: "It is quite sad. Now the view has gone we may as well be living in a town. That is why you move to the countryside but this has been blocked. It is depressing."

Eastern Daily Press: Mr Wilkinson next to the fence, which has blocked his view of the countrysideMr Wilkinson next to the fence, which has blocked his view of the countryside (Image: Owen Sennitt)

COUNTING THE COST

The cottages are rented out by landlord Robin Remblance, whose family has owned all three of the properties for eight decades and now worries the value has decreased due to the fence.

He said: "It makes the properties less marketable. It looks like it will cost me money and I am expected to be happy about it.

"People come here for the views but that is lost, unfortunately. I can't see what the owner is getting out of it."

Despite its name, Shipmeadow has no known links with shipbuilding and it is instead thought to have originally been known as Sheepmeadow.