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Tear wall down, orders inspector
A CONTROVERSIAL wall will be torn down after a ruling by a Government inspector.
Pavittar Singh was issued with an enforcement notice issued by South Tyneside Council after a wall was built outside the Hedworth Filling Station, in Leam Lane, Jarrow.
It called for the unauthorised wall to be removed, and for the height of another wall to be reduced.
But Mr Singh disagreed with the council's ruling, and asked for an independent judgement on the wall.
However, Government planning inspector David Pinner has upheld the enforcement order.
He says in a report: "The wall/fence that has been erected is built of good quality materials, but is unnecessarily high.
"It is a dominant and discordant feature that has an unduly oppressive and harmful impact on the appearance of the area."
A row over planning permission at the site erupted last year as Independent Coun Steve Harrison met with residents outside the garage for a Gazette photograph.
It sparked a tense confrontation, in which he was assaulted in front of the stunned locals.
Coun Harrison had worked alongside colleague Coun George Waddle to have the wall taken down.
Coun George Waddle said: "My feelings have always been the same, they should have complied with planning laws from the start, but they didn't.
"They then went on to travel the whole legal gambit, without success.
"It's now time for them to put their house in order, and comply with planning laws.
"This was a concern for many local residents, and I'm sure they'll be very satisfied with the outcome."
Resident John Badger said: "I'm very happy with the judgement, the flouting of planning laws upset a lot of local residents, many of them pensioners.
"This has been going on for a long time, and it's caused a lot of stress to many people.
"I hope this decision will send out a strong message that planning rules will be enforced for the good of the local community."
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Weather for South Shields
Friday 10 February 2012
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