A PUBLIC inquiry has been called to settle a dispute between a Princes Risborough resident and Wycombe District Council.

Sales manager Nick Gomersall, 42, is angry about being denied retrospective planning permission for changes he has made to land he owns in Angood Close.

The inquiry follows Mr Gomersall's appeal against a council order to remove a shed, swings and goalpost from the land, which borders his house. He has also been ordered to remove some fencing from around the site.

Mr Gomersall claims the fence panels he has been ordered to remove were put up by the developers.

Wycombe District Council ruled the changes constitute "a loss of incidental green space to the detriment of the open character of the area."

But Mr Gomersall says he has improved the site, which he bought from developers Kendrick Homes Ltd in January 1994.

Mr Gomersall told the Bucks Free Press: "Before I bought this piece of land, it was being used in the evening by local youths. I found cigarette ends and cans of beer, which were often thrown into the stream which runs through the land."

Mr Gomersall has shored up the stream's sloping bank and planted conifers around the boundary, which the district council acknowledges he is entitled to do. However, Mr Gomersall has been ordered to remove a 1.75-metre fence which he claims protects small children from falling into the stream.

Mr Gomersall's son Oliver, ten, uses the land to practise his football skills. He is leading goalscorer for Risborough Rangers Under 10 team.

A spokesman for Wycombe District Council said: "An appeal has been lodged against our refusal of retrospective planning permission and against the enforcement notices which we have served."

The public inquiry will be held at 10am, on Tuesday, August 4, in the Wycombe District Council Chamber at Queen Victoria Road, High Wycombe.

Picture shows Nick Gomersall and his son Oliver, ten

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