A man is frustrated that nothing will be done about his neighbour’s oversized metal gate even though it is in breach of planning regulations.
Gregory Shiue of 23 Dukes Kiln Drive, says the metal gates are blocking access to the M40 motorway for service vehicles and is causing issues with rubbish collections and postal deliveries.
The resident complained to Buckinghamshire Council, the planning authority, on Monday, April 3, which confirmed it was a "breach of planning control" which they have investigated.
Gregory said the problem started when he spotted metal posts being installed at Fulmere, 18 Dukes Kiln Drive, a private road next to his house.
The road also leads to the M40, allowing service vehicles to assist in incidents on the motorway.
Gregory said: "Vehicles take this route over here and they have blocked it all the way to the motorway.
"There was a very big crane that caught fire not very far away from me and the m40 was closed for 36 hours as the tarmac on the M40 got melted - this was less than 18 months back.
"Highways Agency were here doing the servicing and parking their vehicles. If you walk three steps away for 0 mins from my house you're down to the m40 motorway.
"This couple arrogantly put a metal gate there. What I'm worried about is in case of any unfortunate incident the gate is locked."
Gregory reported the breach of planning to the council seven times but received no response.
Nothing happened and the tall metal gates were erected.
Buckinghamshire Council confirmed they investigated the high gates being installed and although it "is a breach of planning control" no action will be taken.
Peter Strachan, Cabinet Member for Planning and Regeneration, said: “We are aware of the high gates that have been installed on Dukes Kiln Drive in Gerrards Cross and have investigated the matter further under planning legislation.
"Although erecting the gates in this location is a breach of planning control, we have decided that it’s not suitable to pursue planning enforcement action, as the breach doesn’t cause sufficient planning harm to justify formal action being taken.”
Mr Shiue, however, thinks the problem is causing serious issues with rubbish collection and postal deliveries.
He said: "The metal gate is causing an inconvenience to the council's rubbish collection, the elderly postman and couriers have to park their vehicles far away and their rubbish bins are kept outside. There's a pungent bad smell emitting covered with flies.
"My number is 23 and the vehicle has to park at number 21. They ignored ALL the planning laws and unlawfully erected a metal gate"
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