Court action threat in fence dispute
A FURIOUS Bilton resident has vowed to take East Riding Council to court after officials took away his fence.
George Platts, 65, has been involved in a two-year spat with the council since putting up the fence at his Main Road home without planning permission.
Arguments ensued over who owns the land the fence is built on.
Mr Platts returned home on Wednesday to find his £800 fence had gone.
He said: "The council has taken the fence away without notifying me.
"They have sent letters in the past, but I've heard nothing from them for months.
"But now they have just come and stolen the fence and have taken everything away.
"I think it was very cowardly of the council."
Mr Platts said he is determined to pursue the matter.
He said: "I informed the police and I want to take the council to court. I can't really afford a lawyer, but I'll take out a loan if I have to.
"They say it is public land, but it is my land. I have the deeds to prove it."
The council insists in May 2003 Mr Platts and his neighbours dedicated the area of privately owned drainage ditch to the Highway Authority so drainage pipework could be laid. This meant the land became a public highway and this dedication cannot be reversed.
Mr Platts planted conifer trees that have also been removed as the council believes their roots pose a threat to the function of the drainage pipes.
A spokesman said: "The council is sensitive to the fact Mr Platts's home was severely damaged during the floods and has been very patient in trying to persuade him to move the trees and fence back on to his own property.
"Mr Platts has repeatedly rejected our approaches to help him make the necessary changes, leaving us with no alternative but to take the legitimate action of moving the fence and conifers in accordance with the Highways Act 1980.
"The fence materials and trees have been taken to our Hedon depot and will be stored. We will write to him to explain how he can reclaim his property."
Humberside Police told the Mail it will not be investigating the incident as it is a civil matter.
5 Comments
by Kay, Hull
Saturday, November 01 2008, 10:49AM
“It doesn't matter which council it is, the fact of this, is that in theory not only do the General Public own and pay the Councils to provide us with a service. It is a well known FACT that according to the councils they own everything and are now having the power to OWN and DICTATE to the public.It is time to now stand up and fight against them as they DON'T and WILL NEVER OWN US!!!
Well done George hope you get this matter sorted and make sure the council are responsible for replanting the trees and puting back the fence and pay for any damages as taking them away is THEFT!”
by A, Hull
Friday, October 31 2008, 7:55PM
“I'm no fan of Hull City Council Liz-however as stated in the article the dispute is actually with the East Riding Council.”
by liz, Willerby
Friday, October 31 2008, 4:43PM
“Just think this is yet another petty involvement of the council. Instead of catching the benefit cheats, and removing hasbo tenants from their homes, they remove property off an elderly gentleman! If they have the paper work to prove it was their land, they surely must have shown this to Mr Platts and let the matter rest some time ago!
Ohhhh the joys of Hull City Council!”
by simon, West Hull
Friday, October 31 2008, 1:31PM
“If the council do have paperwork to prove it is their land and not his then they should show Mr Platts.”
by si, hull
Friday, October 31 2008, 1:29PM
“If they council state it is their land then they should show Mr Platts the papers to prove it. Not just write to him informing him it is not his land.”