SOMERSET West and Taunton planning officers have been asked to think again after ordering that two fencing panels hiding washing drying in the garden of a Williton bungalow be removed.

The panels were installed in the garden of Pat Dreweatt’s bungalow at Sir Gilbert Scott Court by her landlord Graham Phippen, of SEG properties Ltd, after neighbours had complained about the sight of washing fluttering on a rotary clothes-line.

As reported in the Free Press on August 21, a planning application for the panels was refused on the grounds that they were “obtrusive, unsympathetic and out of character” and had a “harsh visual impact within the street scene”.

The Grade Two listed Sir Gilbert Scott Court is a former workhouse and hospital which was converted into flats in 2004 and has period flats and bungalows in its grounds.

Mrs Dreweatt has lived there for 14 years and has always hung her washing out to dry: “I can’t afford to put everything in the tumble dryer,” she said.

Now the building’s freeholders and managers, SGSC RTM Co Ltd and SGSC Freehold Co Ltd, have written to planning officer Sarah Wilshire asking that the decision be reconsidered.

But a council spokesman said: “Any existing similar fencing within the grounds of Sir Gilbert Scott Court does not have the benefit of planning permission. It does not set a precedent for such fencing within the site to be acceptable, as each application is determined on its own merits.”

Council planners maintained that the fence was contrary to the West Somerset Local Plan. Williton Parish Council also objected to the planning application“to safeguard the setting of the listed building”.

Writing to the district council on behalf of the two companies, Peggy Hendriksen said that leases included a restriction on hanging out washing where it could be visible.

“Unfortunately, Mrs Dreweatt’s washing line contravened this clause and a number of other residents took umbrage as they felt she was being given preferential treatment.

“Things came to a head last year when a tenant started hanging washing out of the window of the main building for all to see, in protest against Mrs Dreweatt’s washing line,” wrote Ms Hendriksen.

With the agreement of the freeholders, Mr Phippen agreed to put up the fencing “to shield the line from over-sensitive eyes.”

The council spokesman said that the applicant could appeal against the decision, and added: “Metal fencing has previously been approved at the property in order to safeguard the visual appearance of the site.

“The erection of a like-for-like metal fencing with plants or a hedge would provide alternative screening for the washing line while not creating a harsh visual impact or adversely affecting the setting of the listed building.”