A Russian businessman who applied for planning permission to construct a two-metre-high metal fence in a Buckinghamshire village has suggested it could be built from alternative materials to appease concerned villagers.
Alexander Mosionzhik, former chairman of the Russian investment firm Nafta Moskva, applied to Buckinghamshire Council for planning permission to construct a two-metre-high metal fence and gates around his newly acquired country estate, Wymers on Burroughs Grove Hill in Marlow Bottom at the beginning of November.
In the intervening months, villagers have criticised the proposal for its potential incursion onto nearby bridleways and its visual impact on the area, although a letter posted to neighbouring households on behalf of Mr Mosionzhik last month stated that it would merely "replace an existing broken-down fence" and not impact land outside the estate.
In an email exchange submitted to the planning portal on December 28, a representative for the architectural practice Danks Badnell said Mr Mosionzhik was "happy to change the appearance of the fencing" to appease Marlow Bottom villagers, suggesting that a less obtrusive chain link structure could alleviate concerns about the appearance of the structure.
However, Robert Browning, who lived in Marlow Bottom for 35 years before retiring to Somerset and previously likened the fence to a "Berlin Wall in our village", contended that while a chain link fence would be "less visually offensive", it would not "preserve wild animal access" in the area.
Richard Parker, co-chair of the Marlow Society, also recommended the rejection of the proposal on behalf of the local charity in a submission dated December 24.
Mr Parker objected on the grounds that the fence could "set an unwanted precedent" and cause "significant damage" to wildlife in the area, adding: "A natural tall hedge would achieve the same effect and have far less negative impact on the surrounding environment."
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In the letter sent to Marlow Bottom residents on December 19, a representative for Mr Mosionzhik wrote that the proposed fence would facilitate the commencement of renovation works aimed at bringing Wymers "up to modern standards".
They assured villagers that the new installation would be set further back within the property at points of intersection with existing bridleways and added: "Our intention is to replace the existing fence with something that appropriately responds to the environmental, security and visual requirements of the location."
However, a Strategic Sites Officer for Buckinghamshire Council also expressed concerns about whether the proposal would "adhere to the established widths" of bordering public walkways in a consultation dated December 12.
They requested that further information be provided to ensure the fence would not narrow neighbouring bridleways, including detailed plans and photo surveys of the site boundaries.
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