I EMPATHISE with Ian Middleton (BEN September 9) when he rightly claims that erection of a fence in the Doe Hey area would be "totally disregarding the views of the residents who will have to live with the eyesore of the fencing every day".

He elucidates my own feeling about the council "riding roughshod" over the small number of residents affected.

In the case I highlight it was just three, in the Birtenshaw farm area. Out of the blue workmen arrived to erect a two metre high industrial type chain link fence fronting our lounge windows. This at a time when one householder was out of the country, another was working long hours and a family member of the third was in extremis. If the latter occupier had not been at home that day the fence would have been a fait accompli. After a lot of hard grind and worry the project was halted but only until the planning officer decided the job had been held up long enough and gave the go-ahead for a lower fence of one metre, but still to the same specification. This was against the express wishes of two of those affected and the other who would have accepted for himself the lower fence had it been of an attractive appearance.

Would the planners have inflicted such an ugly, unnecessary structure in front of their own property? I doubt it! It is disgraceful that this kind of action can take place when Bolton prides itself on "consulting the people". Council tax payers expect the town hall to look after their interests and not down-grade hitherto idyllic surroundings, devaluing property and quality of life.

One more thought: stretches of water, which are a haven for wildlife, are not dangerous in themselves and do not deserve to be spoiled by fencing, or worse - eradicated by draining. Responsible people should make sure no-one belonging to them goes near enough to court danger.

More power to your elbow, Mr Middleton!

Stressed Out

Bromley Cross

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.